
12.3. 



Book_'£i^^t 



Babylon ® ® 
Reminiscences 



BY BENJAMIN P. FIELD 




SkehJi of the Autiior btf 
JAMES B. COOPER 




Historical Sketch of Babylon by 
JAMES W. EATON 



-^-Ws^ 



COPYBIGHT 1911. 

BY BABYLON PUBLISHING COMPANY 

BABYLON. NBW YOBK 






LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



'i. Benjamin P. Field. ^ ... 

2. Washington House, Babylon. 

3. Daniel Totten's House. 

3. Daniel Totten's Barn Yard. 

4. Presbyterian Sunday School. 

5. Peleg Cooper's House. 

6. Cut of Stone— New Babylon. 

7. The '' Old Mill," a once famous structure. 

8. Western View of Huntington Village. 




NTRODUCTION 



Newcomers to a village, as well as the natives and "old 
timers," usually seek with eagerness, reminiscences of their 
home surroundings. To the student or reader of history, these 
tales of times past, convey, like old pictures, the delineation of 
incidents perhaps forgotten, and unknown to the present genera- 
tion. It is for the purpose of stimulating an interest in our vil- 
lage past and present, that this book is brought before the public. 

We are fortunate in having as a neighbor among us, an octo- 
generian, endowed not only with a memory, vivid with early in- 
cidents, and pictures of our village, but gifted with the power 
to portray the usages and characteristics of old Babylon folks, 
and to depict the appearance and location of old buildings of 
sixty years ago. Perhaps, some part our good fortune in having 
our friend and author still among our number, is due to his good 
wife. For if, like the writer, you, our reader, had grown up with 
the Field family and had been brought into contact with the kind 
and loving wife and mother, and heard every day for many 
years, from some of her children, "No, we had better not do that. 
Mother would not like it," you would have learned a mother's 
influence, always given in the kindest and sweetest way. With 
such a life-companion, who cannot have more admiration for our 
author and his well-rounded life? We wish our author many 
more years of usefulness, and may his reminiscences go down 
to posterity as a monument to one who has loved Babylon and 
its people. 

It has been thought fitting to include in this, book a brief 
biography of our author by his friend, James B. Cooper, and a 
sketch of the history of our village — merely an outline of its 
progress — by the writer, to whom Babylon will always be endear- 
by many tender associations. 

J. W. E. 
September 1, 1911. 




rIS BOOK is resiwctfully dedicated to 
our esteemed friend and fellow citizen, 
Benjahis p. Fibld, who has passed 
the honored mark of fonr score years, 
by the 

BABYLON PUBLISHING CO. 

Jamxs B. Ooopeb, William Oeiosr, 

President Vice President 

Jahes W. Eaton, 

Secretary and Treasurer 

direotobs: 
Jaues B. Oooper, Albert D. Haff, 
WiLUAM Qeiqer, Oarll Jaokson, 
James W. Baton, John T. "Willoughby, 
Bdward Daily, David Sandman, 

John M, Ward 



A Brief Biography of 
BENJAMIN PRINCE FIELD 

the writer of 

Reminiscences of Babylon 
And If s Vicinity 

by 
James Brown Cooper 




Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2010 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/babylonreminisce01fiel 



Vll 

Benjamin Prince Field, the author of these reminiscences, was born 
in Flushing, L. I., in April, 1831, and came to Babylon in 1853. He 
was a son of Benjamin P. Field and Eliza Post of that village, now 
a part of the greater city of Manhattan. 

When scarcely past his majority Mr. Field married Miss Mary Ann 
Purchase, of Flushing and shortly afterwards removed to Babylon 
where he and his life partner have since resided. Mr. Field prior to 
moving to Babylon had learned the tinsmith's trade and on coming 
to this village at once engaged in that line of industry, a business which 
he successfully conducted on the corner of Main and Willow streets 
for half a century until his retirement a few years ago. 

From his first coming to Babylon until the present time Mr. Field 
has taken an active part in every movement calculated to advance the 
best interests of the place. He was for a number of years a member 
of the Board of Education of Union Free School District, being a mem- 
ber of the Board when the present imposing temple of learning was 
erected. It was a suggestion made by Mr. Field to improve the old 
school building on George street which led to the erection of the pre- 
sent school building and he was appointed one of the building com- 
mittee. He also served as a member of the Village Board of Health. 
In the social life of the place Mr. Field was also especially active. He 
was for thirty odd years a member and director of the choir of the First 
Presbyterian Church and devoted much of his time toward increasing 
the interest in the work among the members with the gratifying result 
that the church was famed for its music during that period. 

An indefatigable worker for any cause he espoused Mr. Field 
proved a valuable aid to those who founded Babylon Council R. A. 
He held every position within the gift of the council and several times 
represented Babylon Council at the grand council and was for a num- 
ber of years orator of the council. 

Mr. Field has never T^ared for political honors. He is a Republican 
in politics, but believes that the position of a private citizen is the post 
of honor. 

He has always been greatly interested in horticultural pursuits and 
his vegetable gardens years ago were looked upon as among the best 
in the village. He has always been a very close student of nature and 
much of his success in the horticultural line was due to this fact, which 
together with an unconquerable ambition to succeed made failure well 
nigh an impossibility. Of later years Mr. Field devoted his leisure mo- 



inents to the cultivation of flowers and his rose and flower gardens for 
several years was the Mecca of persons residing in Babylon, and other 
places, who loved and revered the beauty in flowers. Never allowing 
a moment for idleness, Mr. Field toiled with his characteristic ambi- 
tion until he had converted his back door yard into one of the most 
charming panoramas that the eye could wish to imagine. 

Mr. Field is a master mechanic and an inventor of no little renown, 
having secured patents on several articles that his ingenuity lead him to 
invent. Though pursuing a business and trade which claimed his clos- 
est attention, he found time to develop a literary ability that 
is remarkable. He has written much prose and poetry, but as a writer 
of verse he is best known. His poems were published in book form some 
years ago and are highly prized. 

Mr. Field is a member of Christ Episcopal Church and was former- 
ly a member of the vestry. During his long residence here Mr. Field has 
been held in the very highest esteem by his townspeople and no one to- 
day has a warmer hold on their affection than he has and his reminiscen- 
ces re- written at a time in life when few persons would care to undertake 
the task even if their faculties permitted them to do so has been read 
with great interest and in book form this little history can be preserved 
and will help some other author years hence in writing the history down 
to that period. , 




Benjamin Prince Field. 



Pen Pictures of Babylon and Vicinity in 1853 — Location 
of Former Landmarks, Anecdotes and Sketches 

of its Inhabitants at that Time 

o s ® s 

My first visit to Babylon was in the month of March, in the year 
1853, and I became a resident and established myself in business here 
in the month of May of the same year. I came by way of the Long 
Island Railroad to Deer Park, and by stage from there to Babylon. 
As was his custom at that time, the driver of the stage, on entering 
the village, would invaribiy ^' round up" in front of the American 
Hotel. The stage horses were always in good condition, and the trip 
from Deer Park, often vvith a heavy load, would be made in very quick 
time. The horses would always make good speed when nearing the 
hotel, and they knew just where to stop, and seemed to feel as much 
delighted as the passengers themselves to know they had arrived at 
Babylon. There were three hotels in the village at that time, the 
''American", the "National" and the "Sumpawams." The first 
stopping place for the stage was usually at the "American." This 
hotel stood where the postoffiee building is on the corner of Main street 
and Deer Park avenue, and was kept by Charles Snedicor, who had at 
that time some very able assistants, one of whom was Mr. William Vel- 
sor who was one of those versatile ' ' jolly good fellows ' ' v/ho could fill 
different spheres of usefulness, and who seemed indispensable in an 
old fashioned hotel like the American was at that time. Pie was always 
ready to escort, "drive out" or cater to the wants of patrons of the 
house, and could join in partaking of the good things, enjoy them as 
much, and stay as long as ' ' the best of them. ' ' 

Joseph Jacobs was another useful man at the "American," and 
usually occupied a high chair behind the old-fashioned bar, and at any 
time could make you, if you wished it, a good mint julep or a port 
wine sangeree (both popular drinks in those days) and he could tell 
which horse would surely win whenever a trot was about to take place, 
while "Steve" Wykoff could entertain the guests in the "little back 
room" with a dignity and gracefulness of manner that but few men 
possessed. 

Charles Snedicor, the proprietor of the hotel, was a man of kind 
heart and generous nature. He was held in high esteem by the people 



2 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

in general, and was recognized by his patrons as an excellent host. Mr. 
Snedicor died in the month of July, 1853. His widow continued the 
hotel business for a short time, after which she was married to Lucius 
Lum, of Milford, Conn. Mr. and Mrs. Lum, later in life, removed to 
Babylon, where Mr. Lum carried on the clothing and tailoring business 
until his death. His wife survived him for a number of years. The re- 
mains of both now rest in the Babylon cemetery. 

The business of the old American Hotel passed into the hands of 
William B. "Watson, of New York City, who conducted it for a number 
of years. It was afterwards carried on by different persons, until de- 
stroyed by fire on July 4th, 1883, at which time it was under the man- 
agement of Mrs. P. A. Seaman, a woman who was held in the highest 
esteem by all. 

The "American Hotel" was an honored old "landmark" and in 
its best days, was the recognized headquarters for many of the first- 
class sporting men of the time, and had given shelter to many an honor- 
ed guest in the olden times. The village felt its loss, and all who knew 
its history and value as a hotel, deeply regretted its destruction. 

At the time our story begins, if standing on the front stoop of the 
American Hotel, and turning to go westward you would see on the 
right hand side of the street the house now owned by W. G. NicoU, and 
occupied by W. G. NicoU and LeRoy M. Young, and used as a law office. 
It was then the residence of Mrs. Julia Carll. She was generally called 
"Aunt Julia." She was the mother of the late Mrs. Elbert Carll, and 
of Timothy S. Carll, Esq., also deceased. She was a woman of rare 
qualities, a warm friend, and was beloved by all. 

Mrs. Sallie Staples, widow of the once popular Dr. Staples, re- 
sided with Mrs. Carll, and was a lady of some prominence in the society 
of Babylon at that time. She afterward resided with her daughter 
Mary, who married Arden Smith, and lived in Brooklyn until her 
death. 

There was no house between that of "Aunt Julia" and the late 
Elbert Carll, which still remains very much as it was then. Next to 
that of Elbert Carll 's was the house now owned by Mrs. Annie S. Carll. 
It was then the residence of Isaac Willets, who carried on an extensive 
business in manufacturing straw paper and paper boards in the mill on 
the stream near by. The business at that time was considered lucrative, 
and was ably conducted by Mr. Willets and his son Martin. Large 
quantities of straw were used at the mill, and the farmers for many 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 3 

miles either way from Babylon, found a ready market for all they rais- 
ed. Many of these farmers were noted for their honesty, and fair deal- 
ing, to such an extent, indeed, that in carting their straw to the mill, 
they would wait perhaps a long time for a rainy day, on which to do 
their carting. They would load the wagon one day, let it stand out 
over night, and cart it on the day following, and by the time the straw- 
reached the paper mill — especially if from a long distance — the straw 
would be sufficiently damp, and wet, to weigh much more than if it had 
been carted on a clear day, in dry weather. This fact was so well 
known, that when one of those heavy, damp days so peculiar to the 
South Side of Long Island, would extend its morning greeting to the 
man who usually weighed the straw, he would prepare himself for a 
busy day. 

Soon after moving to Babylon, Mr. Isaac "Willets, was left a widow- 
er and retired from the paper business. In later years he married 
Clarissa Underhill, she being the survivor of Edwin Underbill, who 
owned and lived on the premises now so well known as the Crescent. 
Edwin Underhill, was the father of the late William E. Underhill, gen- 
erally known as "Major." Martin Willets succeeded his father in the 
paper business. He was energetic, industrious and extremely sociable. 
He always had hosts of friends. After retiring from the paper busi- 
ness he became the partner of Sidney Bunce in conducting the general 
store trade. The store in which they conducted their business stood 
on the corner where Dowden Brothers are. It was an old frame build- 
ing and now stands on Carll avenue, converted into a dwelling. Bunce 
& Willets succeeded Smith & Bunce, and they succeeded Piatt Carll. 
Martin Willets was appointed Under Sheriff at one time, and elected 
Sheriff at another. He was also made Supervisor of the town. He 
married Miss Emma Coon, of Hempstead, Long Island, who survives 
him, he having died in Brooklyn several years ago, and like many oth- 
ers lives now, only in memory. In those days, the clanging of machin- 
ery and the music of the paper mill wheels, could be heard both day 
and night with ceaseless hum, until the clock announced the advent of 
Sunday morning. The old mill has been taken away, and strangers now 
passing the place and stopping, perhaps, to admire the cascade over- 
flowing from the beautiful "Argyle" lake, would not dream that this 
quiet little spot was once the scene of such busy activity, the fact of 
which is still fresh in the minds of only a few of the "old timers" which 
possibly can be counted on the finger ends. The lake was at that time, 



4 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

called the "west mill pond," and was not so well eared for, and in 
general appearance, not so imposing and attractive, as it is at the pre- 
sent time. 

Tile property nov/ known as the ''Argyle" was then owned by 
Capt. Brewer, of Brooklyn, a retired sea captain, and the only house on 
it was the one now known as Cottage No. 1. It was at that time being re- 
modeled by Col. Stephen Leek, the grandfather of S. A, Titus, once 
Supervisor, and now on the editorial staff of the New York World. 

The next house west, was that of Aaron Bedell. It stood near 
where the residence of the late James Bulger now is. It was purchased 
some years later by Judge Alexander McCue, of Brooklyn, and used 
for a number of years by his family as a summer residence. Later the 
old house was moved around the corner, on the rear of Mr. Bulger's 
premises. Aaron Bedell was one of the proprietors of the line of stages, 
then running between Babylon and Deer Park, and to Farmingdale 
morning and evening, during the winter season. Mr. Bedell always had 
good horses, and was never behind time. It was no easy task for a 
gentlemen's horse to pass the stage of Aaron BedelFon the road to or 
from Deer Park, and many have been compelled to "take the dust," 
much to their own discomfort, and the merriment of the stage passeng- 
ers. I will relate an incident to show what kind of horses Mr. Bedell 
kept. One morning when his stage vras to start from the "American 
House," the stage was full and two passengers could not "squeeze" 
in. The writer was one of them, and there were two more passengers 
waiting just north of the village. Bedell hastened home and hitched up 
a team to a farm wagon, took myself and another and the two men ' ' up 
north ' ' and drove to Deer Park in twenty minutes from the ' ' American 
House, ' ' passing the stage on the way. 
/ On the death of Mr. Bedell, his part of the stage business was con- 
tinued, by his brother Ichabod, and the latter 's son, Charles I., until the 
South Side railroad commenced operations, which rendered a trip to 
Deer Park unnecessary to reach New York, and ended what was con- 
sidered, quite an important local enterprise. The stage business was 
conducted and shared by the Bedells and Mr. Richard Higbie, who 
gave it up at the same time the others did. Ichabod Bedell lived to the 
westward of Aaron, in the old house that stood on the corner. It has 
been long since torn down. It was kept many years as a "tavern" and 
abolished as such soon after the time of which we write. The house was 
one of the most prominent old ' ' landmarks " of " ye oldentime. ' ' There 




Washington Hotel huilt in 1803. 
This house was built in 1803 and stood on tlie corner of Sampawam's 
Road and Main street, where Smith & Salmon's drug store now stands. It 
was occupied by Piatt Carll's family until moved to its present location on 
Deer Park avenue near the railroad. Between this house and the Presbyterian 
Church was the old Aaron Higbie burying ground. 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 5 

was a long "ball room" up stairs running lengthwise with the house, 
such as many old-fashioned hotels had, where social parties from the 
"\'illage frequently met for an evening's jollification and fun, with 
music, dancing and a * ' good time ' ' generally. 

Next to that, was the store and dwelling of James Reid, the father 
of the late Hon. John R. Reid, and grandfather of W. P, Reid, a noted 
lawyer. The store was kept some years after Mr. Reid retired from 
business by George PearsalL 

The next house was that of Elkanah Jarvis. Mr. Jarvis had pre- 
viously kept the National Hotel but had moved to this farm in the pur- 
suit of agriculture. He established the first milk route that was ever 
known in Babylon, while living at this place, and vfas therefore the 
"pioneer" milkman. He v/as very familiarly known, and when Elkan- 
ah Jarvis was around there was sure to be fun somewhere near by, for 
he was good natured and jolly, like many others in the olden time. The 
Elkanah Jarvis farm was later on sold to Bradish Johnson. It finally 
passed to' the hands of Charles L. Tappin, who purchased more lands 
adjoining and built a beautiful residence which he still occupies. 

Alexander Sammis, better knov/n as "Turnpike" Aleck lived in 
the next house west. The house has long since disappeared and Mr. 
Sammis also. We cross the brook after leaving Mr. Sammis', and close 
to it, on the north side, stood the little old school house, and a few steps 
further on brings us to the corner where Mr. Blanchard now lives. It 
was then owned by Silas Muncy, and was soon afterv/ard purchased by 
Capt. Richard Raynor, of New York, who erected the house which is 
now kept as a hotel, Mr. Raynor was a man highly esteemed. He lived 
in this house for a number of years until his death, 

Mr. Raynor conducted a business in Cherry street, New York, for 
many years and was well knov/n as the Captain of the New York troop. 

We might continue westward, and recall to mind many familiar 
faces, and the remembrances of families whom we once knew, but now 
only occasionally hear their names mentioned — their faces we see not. 
Among others, were the Minturns, Po\Yells, Ketdaams, Carmans, Fleets, 
Hones and others, whose bouses, if not entirely demolished, are now the 
hom.es of strangers. But standing on the corner by Richard Raynor 's 
we look south toward the bay and we see but little change in that direc- 
tion; 'Should we go north from here we wouild find some of the old 
houses and many new ones. A few of the old people are at home, and the 
name of Eel street has been changed to that of Avenue or Boulevard, 



6 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

and it joins the road up which we are looking at the same place, just the 
same as it did fifty years ago. The old road leading to Farmingdale is 
now Arnold avenue. 

Had we continued our course up the road from Richard Raynor's 
corner, or from Bedell's corner northward, it would have led us to a 
section of country that was largely covered with pine timber. This 
timber furnished an abundance of cordwood, and made quite a lucra- 
tive business for many then living in that locality. It was through this 
section that passengers were taken when the stages run between Baby- 
lon, Farmingdale and Hicksville. 

Through the sparks from the locomotives on the Long Island 
Railroad and the carelessness of new settlers, the timber in this locality 
frequently suffered great damage from fire, the owners thereby sustain- 
ing pecuniary loss, and oftentimes the lives of many families were en- 
dangered. The timber thus damaged by fire would find its way to the 
charcoal kilns, or be placed upon the home market at a reduced price. 
The wood being black, the men who were workers and dealers in it could 
generally be recognized by their appearance; for the handling of the 
black wood would give to their persons and clothing, a colour quite 
common to the locality. Several men who were well known by the! 
villagers at that time, lived in the pine wood region and had very nice 
farms, which had previously formed a portion of the timber country. 
Among them could be named Jeremiah Albin, whose farm was long 
occupied by his son, Egbert. John Albin was a brother to Jeremiah. 
His wife was a sister to Aunt Sally Oakley and Mrs. Clarissa Under- 
hill. This farm afterward belonged to little Mr. Ronneberger, who was 
well knoAvn in the village as one of the pioneers in market gardening, 
and whose name the street urchins often distorted into that of "run, 
you beggar. ' ' 

William Mott, Philemon Millard, Ezra Sammis, and several others 
lived in that region, and, like all men, had both their faults and their 
virtues, have passed away, as well as most of their posterity. 

A little further to the north lived "old Jerry Hubbard," so called 
because he always looked older than he really was. The plumber had 
omitted to fit up a bath room in Jerry's house, and he did not therefore 
pay as strict attention to sanitary regulations as many do in these days, 
and, living in the region of the black pine wood and handling it, his 
otherwise handsome face wore a very grim appearance, and the mis- 
chievous "small boys" who delighted to poke their fun at eccentric 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 7 

persons, would usually allow "Uncle Jerry" and his bull to pass 
through the streets unmolested, as they were a little shy of him. ' ' Uncle 
Jerry" always drove a bull hitched to a wagon with shafts, just the 
same as other men rigged their horses. He could not have a lively! 
brush on the road as many could, but he could go safe and sure, and 
both he and his bull would always do that and mind their own busi- 
ness, and were therefore never molested. Mr. Hubbard was of about 
the same size as his bull, and one looked just as good natured as thei 
other. If they could be seen in these days as they were often seen then, 
they w^ould make a splendid subject for both professional and amateur 
photographers. 

We could go a little north of where Hubbard lived, past Alexander 
Brown's, whose lands, together with Hubbard's, now form part of tke 
late Kennel Club grounds, and out through Southard's Lane to Baby- 
lon lane ; but should we stop at the mill to speak with ' ' Uncle Harry ' ' 
Southard, we would soon be bantered for a ' * sw^op " or a trade of some 
kind; but ''Harry" has sawed his last log. He has followed many 
others of his time, and left several sons to perpetuate his name. 

We wA\ now retrace our steps from Charles Bergen's corner back 
to the village, the same way that we came, and take notice of what we 
may see on the south side of the road. We recross the brook by the 
schoolhouse before mentioned and on our right was the house of Wil- 
liam Barto. It now belongs to the estate of the late Judge Alexander 
McCue. Further to the east, stood the house of Jacob Fleet, all traces 
of which have long since disappeared. Mr. Fleet was considered an 
eccentric man. He was very exclusive, but thrifty. It was said that 
he once built a boat up stairs in his house, and when he had finished 
it, he was compelled to take the side of the house off, in order to get 
the boat out of the house. He built several dwellings in the village, 
almost entirely alone. He worked from the inside of the house and 
never used a scaffold as other carpenters do. He could do almost any- 
thing in the line of mechanical work, and if no other tools were at 
hand could work a moulding with an ax, or glaze a sash with a spade. 
Some of his buildings are still standing. 

Near the northwest corner of the late William R. Foster's prop- 
erty, and opposite that of Aaron Bedell, stood a house where lived 
Mrs. Gildersleeve. 

The house for many years occupied by the late William R. Foster 
and now belonging to his son, John S. Foster, was then owned by 



8 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

Benjamin R. Robinson. It has been considerably enlarged and im- 
proved since that time. The house of the late T. C. Lyman was owned 
by Edward Berry. Mr. Berry was an excellent boat builder, and some 
of the best boats sailing the waters of the Great South Bay at that 
time were of his handiwork. He was a man of quiet habits and ap- 
parently always in good humor. 

This property has been added to the Foster Estate. Next to that 
was the house of Ira Kellum and his father, Epenetus. It is still oc- 
cupied by William Kellum, son of Ira. 

Next was the house of Hiram Brush. Mr. Brush was a devout 
christian and sexton of the Presbyterian Church for many years. The 
house has been enlarged, and is now owned by John S. Poster. 

A few small houses stood between that and the west creek, and 
were usually occupied by the workmen at the paper mill. These build- 
ings were purchased by Valentine Southard and removed to near the 
"Promised Land", a locality in upper Eel street, and the settlement 
was called by some wag ' ' Smoky Hollow. ' ' 

The first house east of the west creek was that of Mrs. Sammis, 
mother of Mrs. Benjamin Wood. The house stood about where the 
Signal office now stands. Benjamin Wood was the father of W. W. 
Wood the present cashier of the Babylon National Bank. 

We will stop at the Baptist Church corner for a moment to say 
chat there was no street running north or south at that point — no 
church and no buildings, only those we have mentioned. It was all 
Elbert Carll's farm, and it required several yoke of fat oxen, a 
good many of Daniel Abbott's best mules and a small regiment of 
colored people to work it. 

Next to Mrs. Sammis' was the house of Theodore Weeks, commonly 
called "Dorus." The house is now kept as the St. James Hotel. Mr. 
Weeks carried on the butchering business. He was offhand, jolly, good- 
natured man, and generally esteemed. Only one of his children is now 
living. 

Next to Mr. Weeks lived James Thorne, the father of our George 
T- Thorne. He also was a butcher, and carried on the business very 
successfully for many years. He was an excellent judge of live stock, 
and was noted for keeping the best quality of meats. The village butch- 
ers at that time, dressed their own meat exclusively, and Long Island 
contributed largely to the supply. A supply from this source becoming 
scarce in time. Western stock took its place. It was brought here alive 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 9 

and butchered, and purchasers of meat at our village markets could 
see their own meat dressed if they had chosen to do so. The day for that 
method of doing business is past. Meat is now dressed at diiferent 
points from New York to Chicago and hurried at lightning speed to 
supply ail t]ie markets in the land. Killing and dressing is a busi- 
ness exclusively by itself, and many professional butchers of the pre- 
sent day are entirely ignorant as to the most simple methods of dress- 
ing stock. Each autumn for many years Mr. Thorne would show the 
largest and fattest hogs of any man in the county. Mr. Thome's son 
George, has continued the business up to the present time. 

The building formerly occupied by Sidney L. Seaman as a 
store stood next and close to the market of Mr. Thorne. The stairs 
that went up on the outside on the west would lead you to the shoe- 
maker's shop of Samuel Ferris, who could generally be found at work, 
always ready and glad for an opportunity to eulogize the virtues of 
Thomas Paine, while "Ben" Wood, who was often there to do the cob- 
bling, would nod his head and say, "That's so, every W'Ord of it." 
Lawrence Seaman, well known as ' ' Colonel ' ' kept the store. He was a 
man of frugal habits, strict in his dealings, and of sound judgment. 
His opinion on general topics was always listened to with respect and 
had considerable weight. He was the father of our late esteemed 
tow^nsman, S. L. Seaman. 

On the corner where now stands the Babylon Club Cafe w^as the 
National Hotel, kept by Nathan E. Bassett. Had Ave started in the 
morning, and taken the walk to the westward and back, as our littleJ 
story has led us, it would have brought us to Bassett 's at about mail 
time, so we will take a look up the road to see if the stage from Deer" 
Park is in sight, and we will stop into Bassett 's and refresh ourselves 
with something from the old-fashioned cut glass decanters which he al- 
ways kept on the top shelf. The bar room was on the west end of the 
house, and on entering the door we would be very apt to meet old Mr. 
Sharp, who was apparently generally angry with himself and every 
one else. He had his "pleasant spells" at times, however, but they did 
not attack him very often and were of short duration. This was the 
man upon whom some of the lively ones once played a trick which gave 
birth to the phrase that could often be heard on our streets for a long 
time, "Mr. Sharp, your oysters are ready," and many a laugh was 
enjoyed at his expense in consequence of it. It was at this house that 
the lamented "Ed" Snedicor could be found with his "little fiddle" 



10 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

and it did seem that none other, could bring such sweet and delightful 
music from a violin as he could from this same instrument. Many^ 
are the feet which have danced the "double shuffle" or a genuine 
"break-down" to the inspiring strains of Snedicor's music, that wdll 
dance no more, having "shuffled off the mortal coil" forever. Nathan 
E. Bassett was a man of excellent good sense, with a large cheerful ele- 
ment in his "make up" and his estimable wife ranked high with the 
village people. Their able management of the "National" gave the 
house an enviable reputation. 

The old National Hotel was afterward cut in two and moved on 
what is now Fire Island avenue. The residence of S. L. Seaman was 
built from one half of it, and that of Jesse Conklin from the other half, 
and is now owned and occupied by Lawyer Albert Douglas Haff. 

At this spot a small red house stood near the street, in front of 
which was an old-fashioned well, with sweep and buckets. It was noted 
for its excellent water. It was filled up and forgotten, and was re- 
opened a few years afterward by the late Jesse Conklin, for a fire well. 

The red house was occupied by Richmond Pitts, our faithful friend 
and shoemaker. He hammered many soles, pegged many a heel, and 
stuck to his work to the * * last, ' ' until he reached the end of life 's 
thread. 

The red house, together with the barns and stables of the National 
Hotel, stood on grounds which are now owned by A. D. Haff and 
Harry Jackson. The then well known "fiddler mare" was kept at 
these stables, and "Posey Jim" was her keeper, and the only one who 
could ride her. The mare was considered a very fast runner, but doubt- 
less in these days her time would be considered slow. 

All the "old timers" will remember "Posey" and his big mouth. 
"Bob" Van Zandt, of Flushing, with some friends, drove up to the 
American House one day. Posey was hostler there, and came shambling 
up to take the horses. Posey was grinning, when' ' Bob ' ' called to his com- 
panions saying: "Look at that darkey, every time he opens his mouth 
his head's half off." Posey's answer to a greeting was always "Fuss 
rate." If you should say, "Good evening Posey," his answer would 
be "Fuss rate," or "Very cold day, Posey," "Fuss rate." It was all 
the same to him. 

There was no house between the one occupied by Mr. Pitts and that 
of Edwin Underbill on the comer where the residence of W. P. Reid 
stands. 




Daniel Totten's House built in 1824. 
This house was built in 1824 and was occupied by Daniel Totten and is 
Jtill standing on Main street and owned by his son, Junius Totten. 




Daniel Totten's Barn Yard. 
This is the original barn and wood yard on the Daniel Totten place. On 
this place is located the celebrated Totten spring which was known as the 
best water in the village for many years. The old building used for the manu- 
facture of high hats has been torn down. The large tannery of the Cooper's 
was just to the west of th§se buildings on the main road.' 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 11 

The road from the village to the bay is now called Fire Island ave- 
nue, where the car tracks are. The whole present Crescent property- 
was the Underhill Farm and no street or road but the one mentioned. 

Here comes the stage from Deer Park, and as it stops in front of 
the * ' American ' ' we will step over to see who has arrived, and to count 
the passengers, numbering, perchance, three or four persons. There per- 
haps being no guests for the hotel, the stage leaves to deposit the ' ' little 
mail bag" at the postoffice, and then to land the passengers at their own 
doors in the village. The postoffice was always an interesting place at 
mail time, and a number would be in waiting to see if the ' ' little mail 
bag" had brought anything for them. It would not take long for the 
mail to be assorted, as it usually consisted of a few letters and about a 
dozen papers for those who happened to be regular subscribers. A 
daily paper could not easily be purchased at that time, for there were 
no "paper boys" to hurry almost out of breath to bring the paper to 
you before breakfast in the morning. Should the stage driver neglect 
to purchase some extra copies at Deer Park, you would be compelled to 
do without a paper, and be satisfied with asking later in that day, per- 
haps of Esquire Carll or someone else, if there was any news. 

The postoffice was kept at that time by Lawrence Seaman, in his 
store near James Thome's meat market, as before mentioned. 

And now we will go a little way east, and return in the same man- 
ner as we did from the west. On the corner now occupied by Dowden 
Brothers stood the store of Smith & Bunce — Aaron Smith and Sidney 
Bunce. It was in time moved eastward to make room for the Willets' 
Building, and more recently taken away to accommodate the erection 
of the Sherman House, by our clever Sherman Tweedy, who succeeded 
the Willets, (Isaac and Martin) at the old paper mill many years ago, 
and who made a pretty good "pile" by his faithfulness to his calling. 
Tweedy was once noted for his high kicking. He could kick a peanut 
off his own head, and could kick a skylight off a house, if it wasn't too 
high. That is the only kind of "kicking" he did do, for he always 
agrees to everything that is right. He is a good landlord and a re- 
spected citizen, Mrs. Comstock lived up stairs in the east end of the 
building and carried on dressmaking. Stephen J. Wilson occupied the 
front room down stairs as a tailor shop. Mr. Wilson though small in 
stature had the spirit of a giant. He was fearless and bold in the right 
and was a living example of a manly man. He filled the office of Sheriff 
at one time, and other positions of usefulness. He was a devout mem- 



12 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

ber of the Methodist Church through his long life. A tablet in the M. 
E. Church here attests the honor and esteem in which he was held. He 
died a few years ago, aged 97. 

The building next to that, now occupied as a bakery and fruit 
store was the store of Charles Jayne and Edward Smith, who conducted 
business under the firm name of Jayne & Smith. Charles Jayne was 
a very amiable and upright man, and was for many years extremely 
useful in the capacity of local preacher. He left Babylon many years 
ago and made his home at Sing Sing. Edward Smith, his partner, was 
the son of David Smith, and was also a very upright man. He after- 
ward engaged in business on Fulton Market, New York, and died in 
Brooklyn. 

Adjoining the store of Jayne & Smith was the Sumpawams House, 
kept by Thomas J. Seaman, The bar room was in the western part. 
Some years after the death of Mr. Seaman the building was enlarged to 
its present capacity and conducted as a hotel for a number of years by 
Mrs. P. A. Seaman & Son, after which it was abandoned for hotel pur- 
poses, and is now owned and occupied by L. H. Fishel, our esteemed 
townsman and successful merchant. Our good neighbor has received 
his portion of success which has been v/ell merited. Mr, Fishel still fills 
a large sphere of usefulness, and has, by Ms unsv/erving integrity and 
devotion to public, as well as private interests, won the esteem of all 
who know him, and stands foremost in the ranks of our best citizens. 

A little way to the east of Fishel's store stood a dwelling house, 
occupied by Smith Albin and Smith M. Driggs. This house was moved 
eastward, remodeled and enlarged by Walter W. Bobbins, and is now 
the residence of Henry Terry. The brick store now used by Higbie & 
Co. was built by W. W. & J. K-obbins, and stands upon the former site 
of the dwelling house just mentioned. The next house, nov/ owned by 
the heirs of the late Charles Hendrickson, was that of Alanson Seaman, 
brother to Thomas J. Seaman. The dwelling part was occupied by him- 
self and wife. Timothy S. Carll, Esq., married their daughter Louisa, 
and resided with them. Mr. Carll was recognized as one of the first 
men of the village, and was always ready to help those who were in need. 
He would perhaps go further and do more to bestow a kindness than 
any man then in this vicinity. He was entirely unselfish and charitable 
in the extreme. His better qualities were never fully appreciated until 
he was gone, never to return. 

The eastern part of the building, now occupied as a saloon, was the 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 13: 

store of the enterprising firm of W. W. & J. Bobbins. They did a 
thriving business in general merchandise, wood, lumber, coal, etc., and 
were considered competent, progressive, business men. 

Most of the country stores in those days sold liquor, and rum was 
an important branch of the country store trade, for most of the "old 
timers" would buy it by the jug and use it at home. The writer will 
venture to say that if some of the old accounts on the old books of the 
old storekeepers could be seen now, they would convince us that the 
old fellows of the olden times took just as much of "the stuff" then as 
many do now, only perhaps from the cup and "little brown jug" in- 
stead of from decorated glasses in gilded saloons and gorgeous drug 
stores. And while we are writing so much about the men who were 
more or less conspicuous at the time to which our story refers, permit 
me to stop for a moment and give a thought to the good wives of some 
of those men, and say that most of them were always prepared to enter- 
tain their visitors with a little something to take just for "the stom- 
ach's sake." A set of glassware was not considered complete without 
at least one pair of cut glass decanters and a set of wine-glasses, and in 
almost every house could be found a little currant wine, or its equiva- 
lent, and even among the most intimate neighbors a little cake and 
wine was considered the most fitting emblem of welcome, and was us- 
ually offered. Many a barrel and hogshead of the "critter" has been 
carted through Pensacola Lane, now Willow street, as all the freight for 
the stores in those days was brought by sailing vessels landed at the 
foot of that street by flat boats, or scows, and thence carted to its des- 
tination. Hundreds of cords of wood were sent away from here an- 
nually. This, in connection with freighting for storekeepers and others, 
furnished a lucrative business for the owners of a large number of ves- 
sels. This traffic all passing through the little street of Pensacola often 
made that short thoroughfare the scene of life and animation. 

The business of the firm of W. W. & J. Bobbins was very success- 
fully managed. For many years they remained in the old store, as it 
was called, until they removed to the new brick building. When the 
Messrs. Bobbins removed their business to the new brick building they 
gave up the sale of liquors, and in clearing and cleaning out their old 
stoek in that line they emptied the dregs and settlings from promi- 
scuous barrels, kegs, jugs, etc., into one cask and put it in an obscure 
corner in the cellar of the new store, to be used for mechanical or simi- 
lar purposes. There were pure spirits and spirits impure ; old cognac 



14 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

and new cognac; importations from France and New Jersey; wines 
from the Mediterranean and wines of a domestic manufacture; rum 
from the Island of Jamaica and from Connecticut, whiskey from the 
hills of Scotland and from the valleys of Kentucky, or at least the 
dregs of all these, thrown into one cask, making altogether a mixture 
as varied and antagonistic as the population of some parts of the United 
States is today. The firm apparently lost sight of the cask, but some 
of the "coons" in the village caught sight of it, and tapped it, and 
for a long time "coons" were coming thick and often, and it may 
have been noticed they were always hilarious and having a * ' big time, ' ' 
to the wonderment of many who were at a loss to know where they got 
it. A change came after awhile. Things were more quiet. "Coons" 
were less conspicuous, and it was accidentally discovered that the cask 
had been tapped and was empty. The secret was out and that was the 
last of the old stock of imported wine and liquors. 

Babylon (at that time) boasted of a well-organized and equipped 
military company, known as Company A, 16th Regiment, New York 
State Militia, commanded by James B. Cooper. The company made 
a very creditable appearance. Their frequent drills and parades often 
added life and animation to the little village, while the inhabitants 
generally felt proud of their soldiers. Babylon had no brass band then, 
but she had a martial corps. Charles Bishop played the fife, S. L. 
Seaman handled the bass drum, and Benjamin P. Field handled the 
tenor drum, and old Company A. has often proudly marched to the 
btrains of "Yankee Doodle" and "The Girl I Left Behind Me," and 
if these tunes were not lively enough, just give Bishop the "tip" and 
he could rattle off "McCleod's Reel," "Soapsuds Over the Fence," 
"Nigger on de Wood-pile," "Couldn't Count Eleven," and in fact 
almost anything you wanted, and the drums would be there "every 
time." There is only one of the three now, and perhaps not a dozen 
out of a company of sixty or seventy are among the living. Capt. 
Cooper was a rigid disciplinarian, but not so well posted in military 
tactics as he would have been, had he been a graduate of West Point, 
or some other military school. It was quite common to see him with a 
book of tactics in his hand while drilling the company, and the book was 
often consulted before he would issue a command, for Cooper intended 
to be in military matters just the same as he always endeavored to 
be in everything else "right" — and he wanted to be sure he was right 
before he went ahead. The men in the ranks would sometimes be 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 15 

eompelled to wait a few seconds for the Captain's command, and oc- 
casional giggling could be heard at such times which usually brought 
a stern rebuke from the Captain : ' ' Order there ! You must not laugh 
in the ranks; now keep still; let me see — order arms is one time in 
three motions. Now, men, remember; order arms is one time in three 
motions ; steady there now on the left ; all ready ; order arms ! ' ' Down 
would come the musket butts on the floor, bang! bang! bang! then 
like the last of the last pack of fire-crackers an occassional bang ! until 
Alexander Jones brought down the last gun with a soft "sizz" that 
could scarcely be heard, but the Captain could see it, and he may have 
said : ' ' Jones, you were a little behind. However, we will excuse you 
this time, but try and do better the next. Attention men; shoulder 
arms ; forward ; break ranks ; march ! ' ' One of the company regula- 
tions was that every member must appear on parade with clean shaven 
face and hair trimmed. Mustache, whiskers, hair and all had to be 
sacrificed for the parades, which made the men all look like boys, and 
they were the cleanest-looking lot of men you ever saw. After a short 
time the company became proficient in drill and were the envy of some 
of the companies in the old 16th when on their annual encampments. 
James B. Cooper when young was slender in appearance. Later in 
life he became a portly man in size and for many years was known as 
Esquire and filled an important sphere of usefulness as Justice of the 
Peace until his death. Did the writer have as retentive a memory or 
possess one-half of the general knowledge that the late Justice Cooper 
did, this little narrative could be extended to an almost unlimited 
length, and be far more graphic and pleasing. 

Next east to the old store which is now a cafe, was the house and 
office of Dr. Franklin Skidmore who was a good, old-fashioned doctor, 
and celebrated for his heavy doses of blue pills. He sold the property 
to Mr. Lucius Lum, and built the house on the opposite side of the 
street now owned by H. A. V. Post. Dr. Skidmore died very suddenly. 
He was kind in his attentions to the poorer classes, and his loss was 
keenly felt by many of them. 

The next house east belonged to the Cooper family, of whom were 
James B., Simon W. and George D. Cooper. James B. was the eldest. 
The Cooper estate was a large and valuable one. It comprised chiefly 
the homestead on Main street, as before mentioned; the Tan House 
property, on the opposite side of Main Street where now is the house 



16 Beminiscences of Babylon. 

of L. H. Fishel and Post's cottage and the farm, which has since be- 
come a thickly populated part of the village. 

We will leave the old Cooper homestead and go on east, and if it 
is winter time, be careful or else you may ''slip up" and fall. down on 
' ' Cooper 's Hill ; ' ' but safely down, that, we pass the little old building 
where at that time Peleg Cooper was keeping bachelor's hall, and now 
come to the residence of James E. Dodd, who was a good-natured man, 
and never gave any one much trouble. He was the father of the popu- 
lar Dr. Edward Dodd, now deceased. Uncle ''Ben" Pettit and Ms 
wife lived in the same house. They were the parents of L. C. and 
George W. Pettit. Jonas Udall lived nest door. Part of the old house 
is still standing, and is owned by the Higbie estate, ne^it west of the^ 
garage on east Main street. 

Jonas Udall was a brother to Thomas Udall, and the father of quite 
a large family, among whom were Silas, J. Sanford, Sylvester and 
others. Mr. Udall was a wheelwright by trade, but found a more lucra- 
tive business in selling blue fish to the fish-hungry population of Hunt- 
ington and other North Side villages, which he did for a number of 
years. His daughter Sarah, now Mrs. Valance, kept a private school 
in a small rear building up stairs. The Odd Fellows Hall v/as up 
stairs in the main building. 

Next was the wheelwright shop of J. Seudder Bryant. The shop 
was afterward coijiverted into a dwelling and is now oc«upied by Ed- 
ward Udall and family. 

Then came the blacksmith shop of Samuel Maginnes, where 
Stephen Crum served his apprenticeship. The old shop stands in the 
rear of the new garage. 

Next was the butcher shop and homestead of Lawrence Baldwin. 
Everyone from Babylon to Sayville knew Lawrence. He could sell 
more meat and get better prices than any man who had the good for- 
tune to be a butcher at that time. "High doddy, boys," was a great 
word with Lawrence. He would invariably whistle while sharpening 
the knife on a steel, and whistle everything but a tune. Mr. Baldwin 
was the embodiment of good nature, was very successful in business, 
and at his death left a large estate. 

Mr. Baldwin married Miss Alletta Ann Higbie of Springfield, L. I. 
They had three children, two of whom survive, Antionette and John Lee 
Baldwin, John is well known in this community as a man of genius in 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 17 

many respects. He is a macliinist, an artistic painter, a boat builder 
and carries on the picture frame business. 

Leaving Mr. Baldwin's place, brought us to the corner of Main 
street and Pensacola Lane, known as "John Oakley's corner." The 
store had been closed for some time, but was taken about the year 
1853, and the tin and stove business established under the firm name of 
Field & Co. The business has been conducted ever since by B. P. Field, 
until a few years since, who was a member of the original firm. Let us 
turn the corner here, and as it will take but a few minutes, we will walk 
down to the creek and back, and then go a little way east. The low 
double house on the right was occupied by Mr. Field, who had just 
moved in the north part of it, and the south part of it was occupied by 
Mr. and Mrs. Francis Udall, who also had recently been married, and 
just commenced housekeeping. Thomas Udall, the father of Frank, 
lived in the next house southward. 

Henry Weeks and family lived next south of Thomas Udall, in the 
house now belonging to the Tooker estate, Amos Tooker having pur- 
chased it at a later period. The old house was destroyed by fire. Floyd 
Pearsall purchased the property and has had his residence there ever 
since. 

On the comer where "Uncle Jesse" Sammis lived for many years 
until his death, stood a house where jolly Piatt Oakes lived. Piatt was 
a sailmaker by trade, and a good one, too, although he spent much) 
time in the bay, as many other men of his time did. He was a big man 
with small feet, which he could schuffle to the tune from Amos Tooker 's 
fiddle in a manner that would draw rounds of applause. He could hold 
out to the last, for he was, as Jesse Conklin used to say, "a stayer". He 
was generally called Capt. Oakes. Every man who owned any kind of 
a boat, from a schooner to a "dinkey", was a captain in those days. 
I think Piatt owned a "skiff". 

Next to Capt. Oakes' house was the house of Fleet Weeks. Fleet 
was a jolly old soul, and loved a good spree, and would generally take 
it when ever he wanted it. He was, however, clever and harmless. His 
body was burned in the fire that consumed the residence of Howell 
Skidmore, near Deer Park, many years since. 

The last house on that side of the street was that of Phillip Kellum. 
It was called "Old Temple", and afterward torn down and a new one 
built, which still remains. An old house stood near the dock, which be- 
longed to Alanson Seaman, and was occupied by Nicholas Daily. It 



18 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

was afterward added to the Tooker house, which burned down as men- 
tioned. 

If we should stand at the foot of the present Willow street and look 
down the winding old creek, now named Sumpawams River, in the 
quiet of our reverie we might wonder 

Where are the boys that used to go and swim down in the creek, 
And "hook" a boat to take a row, and glory in the trick? 

When one of them made up his mind to borrow some man's boat. 
He 'd take the first one he could find as long as it would float. 

Many an owner has gone down to go out on the bay, 

To find some little wicked clown, had coaxed his boat away. 

There was nothing then the man could do, but shake his fiist and swear 
And hear a jolly little crew, yell back — they didn't care. 

And oftentimes, some three or four, mischevious little crews, 
With borrowed skiff and stolen oar, with neither hat nor shoes, 

While in their ranting, noisy fun would fairly rend the air. 

For none of them would be outdone, and each would have his share. 

They 'd rig a mast from old sticks, and with a piece of sail, 
Perform some skillful daring tricks right in a howling gale. 

That's the way they learned to sail and make a boat work quick, 
And no boy yet was known to fail, if schooled down in the creek. 

Those boys would take some worn-out craft and make her forge ahead, 
Some on the bow, and some abaft, no matter which one led, 

No wine was had, no silver cup, no firing of a gun, 

No sums of money were put up, but lots and lots of fun. 

They're grown up now — and gone away, are scattered far and wide, 
Upon life's broad tempestuous bay, to stem a different tide. 

The Navy's claimed some of those chaps, who doubtless find it fun, 
To answer quickly to the taps, or stand behind a gun. 

On board the many modern yachts, among the gallant crew, 
You'll find some of those little tots — ^big men both tried and true. 

They remember what they early learned, full many a cunning trick. 
Since the first "stake" boat they ever turned, at home down in the 
creek. 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 19 

Or could you tread the decks of ships, or craft — of any note, 

And see proud men in blue and gold, with braided cap and coat. 
You'd find some mother's noble son, manly alert and quick, 

Who could tell you that he first begun — ^with a skiff down in the 
creek. 

As we leave the creek and return to Main street, on our right was 
the house of Elijah Smith, an honest, quiet old man, who followed the 
bay for a living. He left a large family, among whom were Joel, An- 
drew and others. This house was afterward occupied by Uncle Peter 
Brewer and Richard Weeks. Weeks was noted for raising big crops of 
onions. He could often be seen with a wheelbarrow load of the biggest 
flat-fish you ever saw, on his way to the village to dispose of them. The 
house now belongs to Augustus Bishop. 

The next house was that of Capt. John Jones. He was familiarly 
known as "Old Capt. Jones," and everybody in the place would listen 
attentively to the wonderful and thrilling stories he so often told of his 
adventures and experiences on the coast. His house stood on the site 
where John Frost 's house now is. 

Next to Capt. Jones' was the house of William W. Jarvis. It was 
afterward enlarged by Erastus Tooker, and later was the residence of 
David Ricketts, Jr., of whip factory fame. 

The next house was that of John Newton, a man of great muscular 
strength and indomitable courage. He was fleet of foot and celebrated 
in his earlier days for fast walking and running. It was said that on 
one occasion many years ago he engaged in a running match in New 
York with some experts. He, being an easy winner, was accosted soon 
after the race, at the hotel where he was stopping, by a man who was 
apparently a bully, and who was jealous of Newton's laurels. Things 
were getting "warm" and Newton thought it about time, for his own 
safety and bodily protection, to "strike out," which he did. His oppon- 
ent fell at the first blow, never to rise again — he was killed. Newton 
did not intend to kill the man, but he did not properly estimate his own 
strength or force. His fleetness on foot served him well at that time, 
for he trotted off and heard no more of it. There was no police force 
in New York at that time, no detective service, no railroads, telephones, 
or telegraph, or any of the modern appliances by which persons could 
be easily apprehended should their presence be required. Mr. Newton 
was also noted for his skill in breaking vicious colts. 

Next to him in Pensacola lane lived a Mrs. Leek and family. 



20 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

"We leave Pensacola now, and go east. The house on the corner 
where Valentine Southard now lives, was owned and occupied by Miles 
"Wood and family. Miles Wood was by trade a shoe-maker, but his 
mechanical ingenuity impelled him to leave that trade and adopt that 
of boat building. *He built several boats, and had quite a reputation in 
that line. Mr. Wood was the brother of Capt. Smith Wood and grand- 
father to B. B. Wood, who is now an honored and useful citizen of 
Babylon. 

Next to Miles Wood's was the house of Deborah Newton, who, with 
her daughter Sarah, lived upstairs. Townsend Frost and family lived 
down stairs. It is now the residence of Henry P. Kellum. A single 
wagon track commenced in front of this house, and run eastward 
through the brook and "mill-tail," so we will follow the road up in 
front of Oakley's old mill, and continue our walk. After crossing the 
mill-dam, in the first little house on the right lived Charles Betts. And 
the «ne east of that had just been purchased by William Eaton, the 
father of our James W. Eaton. Mr. Eaton had recently taken posses- 
sion of it. 

The house now owned and occupied by H. C. Hepburn was then in 
the course of construction by Boss Piatt Heartt. He built it for him- 
self, and occupied it for a short time, after which it passed to the o\^Tier- 
ship of F. W. Ren wick, and later on to the present owner. The life of 
Piatt Heartt was not always strewn with roses. But nature had en- 
dowed him with a gift of genius which made him foremost as a skilled 
mechanic. The Islip Pavilion was planned and built by him from a 
"job lot" of fragments of a lumber yard. That, and many other fine 
buildings through Islip and in this vicinity stand as monuments to his 
skill and ingenuity. He worked until he was "worked out" and then 
laid down in peace forever. 

The house east of Piatt Heartt 's was a large two-story one which 
was occupied by Walter Ginnity. He was well known throughout this 
section at that period. He was one of the several young men who kept 
a good horse and was a familiar figure on the road, and stood well 
among his associates. His place was purchased by William Eaton, the 
father of our honorable neighbor, James W. Eaton. William Eaton 
lived on the place and worked the farm for many years. The old house 
now stands on the new street which extends to the bay. 

Next east of Eaton's was the little house where Capt. John Bailey 
lived. It was later occupied by William Erwood. Everybody knew 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 21 

Capt John, and liked him for his good nature and pleasantries. He had 
caught more clams than most any other man, for he always knew just 
where to find them and just when to go after them. He was hale and 
hearty, and had a peculiar grin on his face and a merry twinkle in his 
eye. One of his by- words "Hown now" would kindle the fun in the old 
man, even to the last. The writer always had a warm place in his 
heart for ' ' Capt. John. ' ' He has gone to the unknown realms. ' ' Peace 
to his ashes. ' ' 

William Erwood occupied the house for many years. He was a 
native of England and was short, fat and stubby, extremely good natur- 
ed and a full fledged type ''John Bull." 

Mr. Erwood was the first sexton of Christ Episcopal Church and 
held the position a long time. He was an excellent florist and gardener. 
The little old homestead, was a beauty spot, as long as he held posses- 
sion of it. The little old landmark is now occupied by its owner, our 
esteemed friend and fellow citizen, Mr. Samuel A. Higbie. 

There was no other house on the south side of the road east of 
where Capt. John lived, to East Neck or True's brook, except a small 
house down near the bay occupied by colored people. 

On the north side of the road, a little way east, lived Thomas 
Wicks, then farmer for Gen. R. A. Udall. The house is now on the 
Wagstaff property and is occupied by William Grover. Mr. Wicks 
moved to North Babylon soon after vacating this house, and carried on 
farming for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Wicks had a large family of 
children, among whom were Pryor Wicks, Mrs. L. C. Petit and others. 

East of that and near the brook, which is now Wagstaff's pond, 
was the house of Gen. R. A. Udall, previously occupied by his father, 
who was famous in his day as Doctor Udall, and was considered a man 
of eminent skill. The island, with old willow trees on it, now on the 
west side of Wagstaff's pond, was then connected with the main land, 
and under the old willow trees stood the milk houses of the Udall fam- 
ily. One or more springs were near by, affording excellent water for 
dairy purposes. It was here that the milk and cream were kept. Old 
wagon wheels rigged on a post for drying the milk pans were conspic- 
uous. 

And the bright tins glistened in the morning sun. 
After the milking and churning were done ; 
Then, in the shade of the quaint old trees, 
Were sweetened and cooled by the soft south breeze, 



22 Reminiscences of Babylon. . 

Which came o'er lowlands bathed in dew, 

Where meadow pinks and spearmint grew. 

And the merry larks, in sweetest tune 

Poured forth their song until high noon. 

And the yellow birds with seeming greed. 

Were feasting on the thistle seed ; 

While lazy sea gulls on the bay, 

Whiled the idle hours away. 
The Udall farm (or the north part of it) was sold to Cornelius J. 
Bergen of Brooklyn. The Mrs. Wagstaff mansion was built for Mr. 
Bergen by D. H. Voorhees and Joseph Larrason, two young men from 
Brooklyn, in whom Mr. Bei^en took a great interest. These young 
men each married a Babylon girl. Voorhees married a daughter of 
Col. Stephen Leek, and Larrason married a daughter of Dr. Skidmore. 
The latter did not live many years, and Mr. Larrason married Miss 
Hannah Muney of North Babylon. The old Dr. Udall homestead was 
moved on R. A. Udall 's place, later Magoun's, and afterward sold to 
Lawrence Baldwin and removed to Higbie's Lane and converted into 
tenement houses. We will now go back to the brook. Should you cross 
the little bridge at the brook you would surely stop to look at the large 
school of beautiful trout which could always be seen in the hole on the 
south side of the little bridge. 

A little way to the east, stood the house of Joshua and Richard 
Willetts, who were old-fashioned Quaker gentlemen, and who for many 
years were extensive cattle raisers and farmers. Their farm lands em- 
braced that which now includes Col. Alfred Wagstaff 's, C. D. B. Wag- 
staff's, Phoenix Remsen's, Keith's, Sillman's, Benjamin and John L. 
Stephens', and Havemeyer's places. The original deed from the In- 
dians for this property was in the possession of the Willets at that time. 
Richard Willets usually walked to Babylon every day, and kept up this 
habit as long as he was able. He was a very cheerful man. On entering 
the village he would stop at every store and workshop with a joke, a 
smile and a good word for all. He was always welcomed, and was sadly 
missed when he was "called home". "Uncle Joshua" survived his 
brother Richard and often came over to the village with his old black 
horse. He wore homespun yarn knit mittens on his hands, and a broad- 
brimmed Quaker hat on his head. These men, like many more old-time 
Quakers, have passed away, and they cannot be duplicated in these 
days. Their virtues are the golden threads in the American life of 




Old Presbyterian Church huilt in 1839. 
This was the third church built by the Presbyterians. It was erected in 
1839 and is now used as a Sunday school building. It occupies a site between 
the present church, built in 1870, and the second church, built in 1784, and 
now used as a dwelling house. The church built in 1784 was a two-story 
structure, it contained no walls and was heated by foot gtQves until 1831, 
when a wood stove was installed. 



Beminiscences of Babylon. 23 

today. The old apple trees on C. D. B. Wagstaff's place stand just 
cast of where their house stood, and were doubtless planted by these 
men or their ancestors. 

John H. Miller's was the next house east of the Messrs. Willets', 
and had recently been built. Mr. Miller was an expert agriculturist 
and a quiet aimable man, and was highly esteemed. He was what the 
world would call a **good liver," and there was considerable humor in 
his nature, as his pleasant face often indicated. He once engaged a 
boss painter in Babylon to do some painting. The boss took a man over 
and introduced him to Mr. Miller, and set him to work. The man was 
working along and was extremely reticent. After several days, Mr. 
Miller, forgetting the man's name, approached him and asked his 
name. The man replied ' * Doolittle. ' ' Mr. Miller thoughtfully said : " I 
think you have a very appropriate name, for I don't think you've done 
much, and they made no mistake when they named you Doolittle. ' ' 

Standing at Higbie's Lane, and looking eastward, we cannot see 
much further, so while here let us look north. Going northward up 
* ' Love Lane, ' ' as this road was called in earlier times, it being a roman- 
tic spot for spring lovers, on the right lived Billy Hardey and family. 
We could see the old schoolhouse on the left hand side, where Stephen 
Nicolls once lived. Stephen was the father of Hiram Nichols, whose 
eccentricities made him quite noted in this vicinity in his time. He was 
a self appointed prophet whose prediction were uttered with vehement 
emphasis. 

Then came the house of Amos Dow, who was one of the best cap- 
tains that ever sailed a boat for the guests of the LaGrange House in 
its palmy days, and who could, in his peculiar way, make more fun in 
less time than any of the many of the fun loving jokers who seemed to 
abound in this vicinity at that time. His favorite song ' * The Grasshop- 
per Jumped on the Sweet Potato Vine," is doubtless remembered by 
many besides myself. He lived in the same house until he died. His 
wit and humor seemed inexhaustible and apparently, was ever present 
with him. 

Then there were Billy Crum and his meek little wife ; Philip Dow, 
Jacob Dow, Amos Baldwin, Smith Wood, Samuel Miller and Israel Tot- 
ten, whose wife always brought better butter and larger eggs to the 
store than any one else, and who always obtained a little better price 
than any of her neighbors. But most of these old folks and many others 
have "gathered in," so we will draw the curtain at Higbie's lane and 



24 Reminiscences of Babylo7i. 

start on the way back to Babylon. We will first however, ask you if 
you remember old Uncle ''Tim" Rogers? And who that ever knew 
him does not remember him. For you could ah/vays hear him before you 
could see him. 

"When he walked he raised his foot, and tlien he put it down, 
He had the biggest pair of boots of any man in town. ' ' 
One striking feature of good old Uncle "Tim" was that he would 
always put his mouth to your ear to whisper, and you could hear him 
almost to the other end of the town. For his voice was "pitched" on 
a low bass key, and had a carrying power which would be the delight 
of many professional singers. 

Before we go to Babylon, we will stop at the LaGrange House, 
which was kept so long and so successfully by Richard Higbie, and his 
father, Uncle "Sam" Higbie before him. We will not tarry long here, 
for Higbie has gone to Deer Park with the stage and the bottles are all 
locked up in the little closets behind the counter, and the v/omen folks 
have the key, and they are all as ' ' busy as bees ' ' in the kitchen, cooking 
steak, broiling bluefish and getting up a supper, which they knew how 
to do so well, and for v/hich the LaGrange House was noted. It is al- 
most time for the stage to arrive, and a goodly company is expected. 
We don't want to bother the folks in the kitchen, so we will return to 
Babylon. 

But wait just for a minute. Do you see that big black walnut tree 
on the south side of the road, where the boarders at the hotel used to 
while away their time in their easy chairs beneath the shade of its mam- 
moth limbs? And do you notice that shattered limb? Well, that was 
struck by lightning in August, 1854, Now we will go on west toward 
Babylon, and first we will pass the house of Harry Suydam. Mr. Suy- 
dam married Phebe Higbie, sister to Richard and Benjamin Higbie. 
Mrs. Suydam was an amiable woman, and was noted for her kindness. 
"Ben" was a boy then. He is ripening in years now. He is a power- 
ful debater, and has a storehouse of knowledge. For he knew every 
old-timer, and just how much he was worth. The house he occupied 
for so many years was the residence of Harry Suydam, who married 
Phebe Higbie. 

Mr. Suydam later on built a house farther east, which was after- 
ward purchased by Richard Arnold, and the property is now owned 
by Mrs. Annie E. Arnold. 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 25 

The old house mentioned was purchased by Edwin Hawley and 
has been removed back and remodelled. 

Next was the house of Isaac Brush. This property is that on which 
now stands Christ's Episcopal Church and Eectory. The entrance to 
Mr. Brush's door yard was near the old willow tree which is stand- 
ing there at the present time. 

Next was the house of "Master Billy" Conklin, as he was called. 
His wife was formerly the widow of Mr. Pelletreau. She had a son, 
Henry Pelletreau, who was conspicuous at that time among the young 
men of Babylon and vicinity. He married Miss Julia, a beautiful and 
amiable young lady, who was a sister to Richard and Benjamin Higbie. 
Henry Pelletreau did not live many years to enjoy his married life. 
Uncle Billy Conklin 's house stood near the road. The barns and rather 
unsightly cow-yard were west of the house, close to the road. The farm 
was purchased by Ralph Smith, who occupied it for a time, until it was 
sold by him to C. J. Bergen. Mr. Bergen moved the old house back, im- 
proved it, and later on sold it, with the farm, to E. B. Sutton, Esq., who 
transformed it and made it into one of the most beautiful places on the 
South Side of Long Island, and named it "Effingham Park," presum- 
ably after himself. It is now owned by the millionaire, Edwin Hawley. 

A little house was built near the mill pond by George Howell, us- 
ually called "George Hoyle." The house has been remodeled and is 
now owned by Mrs. Bross. George Howell spent some time in Califor- 
nia in the early fifties, and could tell some pretty good stories about 
many things he had seen there, the truth of which was not to be doubt- 
ed. But "Al" "Weeks, who was quite a "wag," used to work George's 
feelings to a, high pitch by insinuating a doubt as to the truth of some 
of them. In the presence of a number of the villagers one evening, 
"Al" called their attention to corn growing in California. He said 
* ' Out there corn grows forty feet high ; there are about ten bushels of 
ears on one stalk, and on the top of each stalk is a big gourd, with a 
bushel of shelled corn in it. ' ' Some one said : "Weeks, where did you hear 
that ? ' ' and the answer was : ' ' George Hoyle told me so. ' ' Of course 
the laugh was on George. He looked at "Al" for a few minutes and 
if the language he used could be heard in these days, it would cause an 
earthquake or a cyclone. But with these men it was always give and 
take and always ended in good feeling. 

"We go back by the old mill and stop to speak to Uncle Nathaniel 
Oakley. Perhaps he is about to light his pipe, and if so we will watch 



26 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

him, for he had a peculiar way of doing it which was : Strike the match^ 
then pull quick and hard, brimstone and all, it made no difference ; and 
if he didn't get it the first time, he would keep on until he did; and 
every time he failed he would say ' * Blastnation to it. ' ' Uncle Nathan- 
iel was a good millwright and an excellent mathematician and ciTil 
engineer. It is an old saying that "miller's hogs are always fat." His 
were never an exception to this rule, for he always had a pen of fine 
porkers, and in addition thereto a large stock of the best and fattest 
poultry. This branch, however, was attended to more particularly by 
his faithful wife, generally known as "Aunt Sally". She was a good 
woman and an excellent cook, as the writer of this sketch can attest, 
having partaken of many a good feast while enjoying the hospitality 
of their old-fashion pleasant home. 

Uncle Nathaniel's personal appearance possessed an originality 
which made him conspicuous. He wore a "smock" frock, or over gar- 
ment which covered his whole body, and came below the knees. A high 
black beaver hat, very high, and looked older than himself, all well cov- 
ered with miller's dust, white flour. He was a deep thinker and a great 
reader. It was a common thing for him to sit up until late midnight 
with his hat on reading scripture books which were entirely too deep for 
the average man. His wisdom was dealt out to those who sought it,, 
without money and without price. 

Eliphalet W. Oakley, son of Nathaniel, succeeded his father in the 
milling business, which he carried on for a number of years. The old 
mill was later used as a whip factory by David Ricketts, deceased, after- 
ward by his son. It has recently been removed by Mr. Hawley who has 
purchased the mill property. 

In the next house west of Mr. Oakley's lived Thomas Burton, a 
tailor, in the west end, and George Vosler, watchmaker, in the east end. 
There was no Cooper street at this point then, and nearly all the land 
to the north of Main street belonged to the Cooper estate. 

An old house stood on the spot where the Tierney buildings are,, 
and where the East End Hotel is now. It was occupied by John S. 
Bryant. It was afterward removed around the corner on Cooper street,, 
and now constitutes one of the African "flats" which abound in that 
locality, and which are now being removed. 

The next house was that of Daniel Totten, where all the peddlers 
used to "put up". Next to this house was Mr. Totten 's hat shop. It 
was called the hat shop because in earlier days Mr, Totten being a hat- 



Beminiscences of Babylon. 27 

ter by trade manufactured old fashioned "Beaver" hats for the city 
trade. They are not worn in these days, the silk "Plug" hats have 
taken their place and are specials. After Mr. Totten gave up making 
hats, his son Baltus used to make brooms there, although he was blind, 
yet he was a very handy man in various ways. For many years he was 
a familiar figure on the place, and always manifested that quiet amiable 
(spirit which usually grace those who have the misfortune to be sightless. 
The Weeks Brothers, of Hempstead, used to bring unmade clothing 
here at this old shop, and distribute it to a large number of females to 
be made up for city trade. The work was called "California work," 
and a large number of women in this section found acceptable employ- 
ment in making up these garments. 

The sudden emigration to Calfomia in "Forty-nine" when gold 
was discovered there made a special market for many things, among 
which was men's clothing; and the clothing was for that trade. There 
v/ere no domestic supplies in California and efforts were made to 
"rush" some there, but the only way to reach that part of our country 
was around Cape Horn which took six months by the best vessels of 
that period. The adventurers at first mostly went to mining with the 
most crude and simple outfit. A common shovel would cost about ten 
dollars, a six-quart tin pan six dollars and everything else in propor- 
tion. Many lives were sacrificed among the earlier settlers of Califor- 
nia. 

Next to the Totten place was Cooper's old tan yard and tannery, 
where Pelig Cooper, fat, hale and hearty and jolly as a sunbeam, and 
Uncle "Nat" Cooper, lean, lank and pale, the opposite of Pelig, worked 
together for many years and never quarreled. Uncle Pelig was a heavy 
weight man and well along in years, but he used to amuse the younger 
ones occasionally by taking a few "fancy steps" as light as a girl, 
while Uncle "Nat" sedate as a Judge, would say, "You're all poor 
critters anyway." 

Next to the tannery was the shoemaker's shop of Edmund Tarver, 
who afterward moved to Iowa. 

Next was the store of Pettit & Tompkins. This store stood close 
to the street. It was afterward purchased by W. W. Robbins and con- 
verted into a dwelling. It has been re-built at different times and is a 
commodious building, now owned by H. A. V. Post, Esq. 

The next house was known as the "Yellow House". It stood near 
the street about on the line now between the dwellings of the late D. S. 



28 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

S. Sammis and H. A. V. Post. Edmund Tarver lived in the east part 
down stairs, and Samuel Maginnes in the west part. Mrs. Mercy Sea- 
man lived up stairs on the west side, and Mrs. Cooper (widow of Sam- 
uel) and her son Edward, lived upstairs on the east side. The entrance 
to Mrs. Seaman's apartments was by outside stairs on the west, and to 
Mrs, Cooper's by outside stairs on the north side. Edmund Tarver and 
wife were a gentle couple and they were "English" people. One day, 
Mrs. Tarver, whose name was Rebecca, stood in the back door, while Ed- 
mund was in the garden near by. She called to him thus: "Edmund, 
be'ent there any more beans in the garden, Edmund?" "No, Becky, 
there be'ent." A listener gave this to the writer at the time about 1854. 
It is given to show the quaint English method of expression. 

"Tamar, " a neat and respectable colored woman and the mother of 
"Posey Jim" and "Pete", lived in a little red house in the read. It 
was afterward occupied by James White, and then by Mr. Knight, a 
mason by trade. Mr. K. came here to build the oven for the bakery now 
in use by Mr. R. E. Worth. Mr. Knight was a snake charmer, and it 
was a common thing for him to have one or more snakes in his hat or 
bosom. On one occasion he went to New York and "put up" at the 
Gerard House, corner of Chambers street and West Broadway. He took 
a large black snake with him, and he was puzzled to know what to do 
with it. He kept it in his room during the night, and rose early next 
morning and put the snake on a little spot of grass between the building 
and the fence on the Chambers street side. He then walked down to- 
ward "Washington Market," and when he returned he found the whole 
of that part of the town in an uproar. Apple-stands were turned over, 
the "apple women" crying "holy murther," men and boys with guns 
and clubs, and the snake was dead. The snake had found its way to 
the gutter, and was caught going toward Greenwich street. An account 
of the event was published in the New York papers under a big head- 
ing "First Snake Discovered in New York in Many Years." Old 
Knight was the only one who knew anything of it, and he kept "mum" 
and laughed in his sleeve, and perhaps the writer is the only one who 
remembers the event. 

The next house to "The Yellow House" was called the "Old 
Church." That also stood near the street, and had been a church at 
an earlier period, but was now used as a tenement house, and was 
occupied by various families, among whom were Piatt Oakes, Henry 
Crum, Joseph Jacobs, Sr., and others. It was purchased at a later 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 29 

period by Martin Willets, removed and made into a neat dwelling. It 
is now owned and is the residence of the heirs of our late fellow towns^ 
man D. S. S. Sammis. 

The name of D. S. S. Sammis seems to be indelibly photographed 
into almost everything that is or has been prosperous in the village. 
Mr. Sammis at times proudly boasted that his boyhood days were spent 
in work, and hard work, for little pay. Mr. S. is not alone in this, for 
many of America's prominent men and business giants, in early life, 
had a similar experience; and their experience as boys, taught them 
not only the value of money, but also the intrinsic value of time. Pos- 
sessed of an unconquerable ambition and clear foresightedness, Mr. 
Sammis reached the goal of success. His stores, dwellings, farm lands, 
hotels, etc., greet the passer-by at almost every turn and unmistakably 
speak of his success. No one envied him his success, but all admired his 
ambition and business qualities, for while doing for himself he was also 
doing for others by giving employment to many who profited by it. 
The advice of men like Mr. Sammis can usually be safely followed, and 
if there are any young men here who wish success and do not know how 
to obtain it, we would advise them to go and ask men like Mr. Sammis^ 
and then follow their advice. Young men seeking advice of Mr. Sammis 
in his active days would have received about as follows : 

Get up early, stay up late. 

And be on time, and never wait ; 

Trot your horses, never walk, 

''Put up your dollars," and stop your talk. 

Always win, never fail, 
Weigh the anchor, hoist the sail, 
"All aboard" — get under way; 
Don 't hear what others have to say. 

Never mind the snow or rain, 

A twinge of gout, or chronic pain, 

Stop your growling — go and do 

As I have done, my whole life through. 

How do you expect to get your bread, 
Loafing away your time in bed ? 
Get up — get out — and scratch around. 
There's enough if only found. 



30 Beminiscences of Babylon. 

It was left for Mr. Sammis, even in his early days, to see and ap- 
preciate the natural advantages of Fire Island Beach as a desirable 
location for a summer resort, and he frequently asserted that at some 
day it would be used as such, and become noted as one of the best places 
in the world, and if he should live, he would make it so. This idea 
clung to him so closely, and his convictions in that direction were so 
decided, his inclinations to see his idea carried out so strong, that he 
could wait no longer, and about the year 1854 he secured the property 
and hastily built a shed, and, with Selah Strong, commenced business 
at once, just before the Fourth of July. The writer well remembers the 
excellent dinner he enjoyed at the "shed" with some friends on that 
Fourth. Mr. Sammis at once made preparations to build, and early the 
following spring he built the east end of the "Surf Hotel." 
The building was one hundred feet long, and was considered a large 
one. Shortly after this period a financial panic swept over the whole 
country. It came like an overwhelming storm, driven to a state of mad 
fury by the angry winds. The dangerous seas ran high, and the dark- 
ness and violence of the storm were prolonged for many nights and 
days, and pall of gloom hung over all, frightening every sunray of 
hope, which seemed to shrink from the dark shadow. The storm con- 
tinued its devastating work until wreck upon wreck were splintered upon 
the rocks, and the whole shore and coast of the financial and commercial 
world were strewn with the wreckage and fragments which the monster 
storm had left as souvenirs of its destructive work. Mr. Sammis, like 
a faithful captain when his ship is in danger, stood at the helm of his 
own craft, and with keen eye and strong nerve kept it head to the wind 
and rode upon the wave. And from the deep trough of the sea to the 
white crest of the topmost billow, far, far above 

The moaning winds and ceaseless roar 

Of the maddened surf along the shore, 

Ever anon a voice was heard 

As clear and shrill as a singing bird; 

"You 

can't 

fool 

Sammis. ' ' 

And the same human nugget of perseverance, energy and self-re- 
liance, that was often seen on the street under a "beaver hat" and big 



Reminiscences of Babylon, 31 

overcoat was the man whose early ideas were correct. He lived to enjoy 
the fullest fruition of his early hopes, and the name of Sammis and 
the "Surf Hotel" became favorably known all over the world. 

The old district schoolhouse was next to the Sammis*. It was in 
this old building that meetings were held when the question of build- 
ing a new schoolhouse was being considered. Great excitement prevail- 
€d during this period. A vote was at last taken, which was in favor of 
a new schoolhouse, and the building which is now the Lyceum on 
Oeorge street was erected. The old building was purchased afterward 
by James Bostwick, removed to Deer Park avenue and converted into 
an oyster saloon. It afterwards passed into the hands of Christopher 
Lake, and was used for a tailor shop. The teachers of the old school 
were Mr. Armstrong, Cyrus Strong, Mr. Wilcox, George R. Bishop, A. 
C. Carley and George A. Doane. George A. Doane at one time peddled 
books and solicited subscribers for a newspaper, the "New York Mer- 
chant's Ledger." On one occasion, when the writer was going to the 
city, Mr. Doane asked him to call at the office for some sample copies 
iji the paper. The little office was on the top floor and Robert Bonner 
was the publisher. He and two others, with sleeves rolled up, were 
w^orking like beavers. The paper was changed to the "New York 
Ijedger" and Robert Bonner became rich and famous. 

Miss Gloriana Rice succeeded Doane in the old schoolhouse until the 
new one was built on George street. She was the last teacher in the old 
building, and the first principal of the new school. Miss Rice not only 
possessed a natural faculty for teaching, but she also had a magnetic 
way of weaving the influences of her own virtues and graces into the 
characters of her pupils. She had the same unconscious way of winning 
the hearts of her scholars as she did the heart of the man who sought 
her hand. On the day that Miss Rice became Mrs. James B, Cooper 
many of her scholars were present. They did not throw rice after the 
newly married pair, for they knew full well that Mr. Cooper had al- 
ready harvested the best crop of "Rice" that had ever grown, but in 
the absence of rice there were 

Roses and kisses, 

With posies and wishes. 
Sweet fragrance pervaded the air ; 

Goodbyes and cheers. 

Moist eyes and tears. 
And hearts softly breathing a prayer. 



32 Beminiscerices of Babylon, 

Mrs. Cooper possesses all of her good qualities still, and fills a large 
sphere of usefulness while enjoying the highest esteem of all who know 
her. 

Next to the old district school building on Main street, stood the 
old Presbyterian church. It was moved back to make room for the new 
church building, and is now used for a Sunday school and lecture 
room. The old Presbyterian church was known as the First Presby- 
terian church of Huntington South. Gaylord L. Moore was the pastor. 
Babylon at that time belonged to the town of Huntington. The old 
church was usually well attended on Sunday mornings. Many of the 
staunch families along the South road worshipped there, coming from 
as far west as South Oyster Bay, now Massapequa. The families of 
Timothy Carman, Treadwell Carman, Samuel Ireland, Thomas Ireland, 
Selah Wilmarth and many others from that section, while from the east 
were the Thompsons, Mowbrays, Colts and others. These people were 
never intimidated by a few clouds or a storm, but were perseveringly 
faithful in the performance of their religious duties, and every Sunday 
morning the old church was filled with these worshippers, locked up in 
the straight backed pews, for each pew had a door, and a button on the 
inside. That would look strange in these days, but it did not look so 
then, for most of the churches of the olden times had the same ar- 
rangement of pews. The high, "boxed-in" pulpit would seem in strange 
contrast to the '* low-down" graceful platforms from which the Gospel 
is preached in these days. The lamented Dr. A. G. Thompson was a 
conspicuous member of the church at that time, and in the absence of 
the preacher frequently conducted the services. John Mowbray was 
the choir leader. There was no organ in the church, and Mr. Mowbray 
got the pitch of the tunes from an old-fashioned flute. The choir was 
strong in members. They never met for rehearsal, and if they were a 
little out of time, or a little out of tune, they were to be excused. Their 
singing was devotional, and perhaps ascended farther Heavenward 
than much that is considered of a higher culture and may be more ar- 
tistically rendered. But no church choir can give correct and pleasing 
music without constant practice. Every singer or musician of experi- 
ence knows full well that it requires a long and tedious practice to at- 
tain anything like perfection — especially in vocal music, and oftentimes 
the best efforts and gratuitous service of those who constitute our 
church choirs are the least appreciated, and doubtless many who would 
attain to a high degree in the art of singing become discouraged and 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 33 

musical talent is blunted and dwarfed in consequence of thoughtless 
and unjust criticism. But excuse me, dear reader, I am — as many are- 
apt to do — ' * wandering off. " So I will go back to the old church. Soon 
after this a melodeon was bought and Miss Martin, a sister to the pas- 
tor's wife, played it. The melodeon was soon replaced by an organ. 
New material came in the choir, progressive systems were adopted, and 
in a little while the singing was up to an acceptable standard, and 
creditable to the church and place. 

The Methodist church was smaller but has grown to its present 
healthy proportions, and now at the present time, with the Presbyterian 
Methodist, Baptist and the Catholic Church in the village and the Epis- 
copal Church of West Islip, with its chapel in the village where frequent 
services are held, both the village and community, have a goodly share 
of religious teaching, enlightenment and encouragement. This is well 
fortified by influences which radiate from our schools, social and bene- 
volent orders, societies, etc., all of which affords a moral status and sup- 
porting influence equal to the best, even at Oak Island Beach the little 
chapel is a reminder to all the summer visitors that a welcome awaits 
them where they can spend an hour or two in quiet devotion, where the 
life savers sometimes ''Throw out the Life Line." 

Adjoining the Presbyterian church property on the west was a 
small burying ground, which had been there many years. Next to that 
was the homestead of Mrs. Carll, the widow of T. Piatt Carll, who for 
many years kept a store in the west end of the house and afterward on 
the opposite corner, and was succeeded by Smith & Bunce. Mrs. Carll's 
property extended from Main street northward to the north line of the 
Landwehr block, the greater part of which comprised a well-kept and 
beautiful garden. The house stood close to Main street and near the 
corner. It was a comfortable mansion, and had an inviting appearance. 
It was afterward purchased from D. S. S. Sammis by the late John 
Lux, and removed to where it now is, near the Babylon depot, and is 
used for a boarding house and called the Washington Hotel. The small 
grave-yard was next to the Presbyterian church property. It had at 
some day formed a part of the land which was at the time we writ^ 
owned by Mrs. Piatt Carll. The grave-yard property, it was said, was 
purchased many years previous to this time by a number of men jointly 
exclusively for the purposes of burial, and that no one could claim own- 
ership to it. Aaron Higbie, one of the original purchasers, used to say 
that he wanted his body buried just inside the gate, so he could keep 



34 Beminiscences of Babylon. 

Thome's sheep out. These animals, strange to say, would often find 
their way there, where they could secure good ' ' picking. ' ' 

The Carll property was purchased at a later day by D. S. S. Sam- 
mis and is now covered over with buildings which are known as thei 
Sammis Block. The ice house belonging to the Piatt Carll place stood 
close to the sidewalk on the Deer Park avenue side, about where the bar- 
ber shop of Charles Kleiber is. Nobody but David Smith could fill the 
house, and nobody else ever did so long as the ice house remained. 
Piatt Carll, as he was familiarly called, was a man of great force of 
character, and could express his opinion very emphatically should oc- 
casion require it. In those days men were more free to give and take a 
joke than they are now. It frequently happened that he was compelled 
to take his share of them. Many of these, no doubt, if they could bej 
gathered and related, would substantiate the belief that there was more 
mischievous fun indulged in among the villagers in those days than 
there is at the present time. On one occasion, his neighbor, Sol. 
"Hawks," the blacksmith, wishing to use a wheelbarrow, and having 
none of his own, went to Mr. Carll's store and said to him : "Mr. Carll, 
I would like to borrow your wheelbarrow. Can I have it for a little 
while?" Mr. Carll said: "Sol., why in thunder don't you own one 
yourself? Take it, but don't forget that when you are done with it 
to come and let me know." "Sol." thought he saw an opportunity 
here to have a joke on Mr. Carll, so when he had done with the wheel- 
Ijarrow he went to the store and said: 'Good morning, Mr. Carll." 
"Good morning, Sol." Mr. Carll, I am through with your wheelbar- 
row; you know you told me to come and let you know when I was 
through with it, so I thought I would just say to you may have it now, 
.and had better send Marcus up after it." Mr. Carll looked at him, 
.and with a mouth full of big words opened a battery, and ' ' Sol. ' ' knew 
there was a storm close by, and he went out of the front door on a 
""^ double quick" with a grin on his face that was peculiarly Solomon 
Hawxhurst's. Marcus, just mentioned, was a colored man in the em- 
ploy of Mr. Carll. Marcus thought his master was sometimes a little too 
severe with him, and was telling this to one of the solid men of the vil- 
lage one day, aaid the man said to him : ' * Mark, if you will chew a cer- 
tain kind of root and whenever you get near your master spit on him 
(don't be afraid), in a very short time, by keeping this up, you can 
make him obey you, and he will follow you like a pet lamb and do what- 
ever you would have mim do. ' ' Marcus thought it would be fine to have 



Reminiscences of Babylon, 35 

his old master waiting on him for awhile, and, like many colored folks 
at that period, he had faith in roots. He procured some of the right 
kind and commenced business. Being shy of his master, he would always 
get behind his back to sprinkle the magical extract. Mr. Carll noticed 
that his clothing was fast becoming soiled, and he brushed hard and 
often, but the spots did not disappear. On the contrary, they became 
more numerous, and he was puzzled to know the cause. Turning sudden- 
ly one day when Marcus was near, he caught him in the very act of* 
working his charm. Mr. Carll quickly thought "Mark" was not alone 
in this, and with a good-sized oath said : ' ' Old Charles Wicks put you up 
to this, I '11 bet ; but I '11 learn you a lesson, old darkey. ' ' Marcus tried to 
control his master with * ' Keep still, keep still, " " but the floor came up 
and struck Marcus in the face, ' ' and when he recovered from the effect 
of the blow he was so badly frightened that he was several shades light- 
er in color for many years afterward. 

Mrs. Piatt Carll was a sister to the late Ellis Strong. She was a 
very estimable lady, and her family were popular and interesting. 
Augustus P. Carll was one of her sons. He was then employed in the 
large dry goods house of C. W. & J. T. Moore, at Park Place and Church 
street. New York City, and was a very brilliant young man, whos0 
society was much sought after. He afterward went to China, thence 
to Japan, and was drowned on the coast of the latter country. There 
were two other sons, Samuel and Edward. The whole three were models 
of neatness and gentility. Soon after the activities of business com- 
menced at St. Paul, Minn., Samuel and Edward Carll became establish- 
ed there in the general commission business. W. E. Hubbs who recent- 
ly died at Central Islip, left the employ of W. W. & J. Robbins and) 
went to St. Paul with the Carlls. Edward Carll was the bookkeeper for 
the firm. His penmanship was beautiful, beyond description, and was 
considered to be almost matchless. Its extreme neatness was in keeping 
with his personal appearance. The Piatt Carll family, once numerous 
and prominent, became, like many others, few in number and strangers 
to the place that was once their pleasant home. 

We will continue our way up Babylon Lane, now Deer Park ave- 
nue. After leaving Mrs. Carll 's garden was the residence of Charles 
Jayne, now owned by Mrs. Phinette Cooper, and next was Col. Stephen 
Leek's. Mr. Leek carried on the carpentering business, was popular, 
and when his mind was once made up his opinion could not be easily 
changed. His shop stood where the Alhambra is now. His home was 



36 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

where Mr. Ohlmiller built two stores. The old house was moved to the 
rear. 

Next to that was the house of Aaron Smith, of the firm of Smith 
& Bunce. This house stood where Johnson's confectionery is. It was 
moved north and is occupied by Mrs. Jackson, the mother of Capt. Carll 
Jackson. 

Next was the house of Stephen J. Wilson, before mentioned. His 
estimable wife always took great interest in her garden, which in the 
proper season, abounded in choice fruits and flowers, and was the ad- 
miration of many. Stephen J. "Wilson and wife were the parents of 
our respected townsman, Edwin Wilson, who has served so long and 
faithfully as collector of our school and village taxes and fills that 
position. The old Wilson Homestead is at present owned by Capt. 
Edward Frost and is occupied by Mr. Crone. 

Next to that was the old Methodist church, now used by that 
society as a Sunday school room. The old church stood on what is 
now the north part of the Wilson property. Eev. F. W. Sizer preached 
in the church at that time. Mr. Sizer was of the good, old-fashioned 
Methodist type. Religious revivals frequently took place in the old 
church, and many who have passed "beyond the tide" to the beautiful 
"land on high" were convicted and converted within the sacred pre- 
cincts of the old "meeting house."" 

Next to that lived Solomon Hawxhurst, a man with as loud a voice 
and as big a heart as any. He carried on the blacksmithing business. 
His shop stood near the street, next south of the shop of John Snod- 
grass, which is now the music store of H. P. Bishop. The house which 
Hawxhurst lived in, now belongs to George Jarvis, and is occupied by 
himself and Charles Seigel. Hawxhurst afterward removed to Penn- 
sylvania. Andrew Titus, the father of Stephen A. Titus, learned his 
trade with Mr. Hawxhurst, and succeeded him in business, which he 
carried on until his death. The land north of Hawxhurst 's residence 
nearly all belonged to the Cooper farm until we reached the house* 
where Mrs. Jackson then lived. 

The next house north of Mrs. Jackson's was that of the widow of 
Thomas Jayne. One of her sons was nicknamed "Johnny Gourd." 
Later on he made semi-aanual trips through this section selling 
" Jayne 's Liniment." The Jayne 's house stood where Nelson G. Car- 
man lives in summer. 

The next house was that of Thomas Wood. This house was after- 
ward owned and occupied by Edward Berry, who lived there until his 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 37 

death. It was removed to make room for the house built by E. R. 
Durkee which is now known as the estate of the late H. I. Nicholas, 
Esq. The old house was purchased by Isaac Willets, removed and con- 
verted into small dwellings, which now stand near the railroad north 
of Squires grocery store and make desirable residences for smaU fami- 
lies. 

The next house was occupied by John G. Schumaker, a lawyer, who 
afterward became a man of considerable prominence in the city of 
Brooklyn, to which place he removed after leaving Babylon. This 
house was purchased by Mrs. Balchen and since then has, like many 
other house of the people of earlier days, been changed into tenements 
for those of a later generation.. 

Next was the farm of David Smith, which has materially changed 
by being laid out into streets and building lots.. David Smith and his 
sons were true types of the staunch American farmer. Their fidelity to 
their calling was worthy of emulation, for it was based upon an ambition 
which carried them beyond all possibilities of failure and crowned their 
labors with success. 

Behind the plow, in the furrowed field, 

Helping the earth bring forth her yield, 

And not a murmer, or discordant word 

From these strong men were ever heard. 

Steady and true, though the days were long. 

They clung to the right and spurned the wrong, 

And a peaceful rest was their well earned crown. 

At night, when after the sun went down. 
The next house was that of John Oakley, the next to him lived 
Amos Tooker. Mr. Tooker was a man with some peculiar traits of 
character, and of some prominence. He built several vessels, the last of 
which was a schooner "The Baxter," and was built at the foot of Pen- 
sacola Lane, now Willow street. He was a very fast walker, yet to the 
common observer this fact was not noticeable. In earlier days, before 
i-ailroads were known on Long Island, Tooker 's business frequently 
called him to New York, and the only way to get back and forth was by 
stage, which run from Babylon to Brooklyn. If Mr. Tooker was not 
ready to take the stage, either in going or coming, it made no difference 
to him, for he would let the stage go, and would walk, and it was said, 
would often make as good time as the stage would. He was like many 
men of his time, he had a good stock of stories to tell, which by repeat- 
ing would never grow less. And while he was a man of the strictest in- 



38 Beminiscences of Babylon. 

tegrity, whose word was "good as his bond," he could practice great 
economy in telling a story and make a little go a long way. 

In the next house north lived Hannah, the widow of Jonas Gilder- 
sleeve. Later in life she became the wife of John Newton. This prop- 
erty was purchased by P. H. Foster, and for many years was the famous 
Babylon Nursery. 

Adjoining that, was the farm of Harry Smith, afterward occupied 
by Charles S. Green, and later on the country seat of the late R. G; 
Rolston, Esq. 

Next were the houses of Leonard Young and Billy Foster. 

The house of Eoyal Butler was next, and then Hewlett Weeks, now 
Edward Muncy's, and then Smith Conklin's, the father of the late 
David S. Conklin. Smith Conklin always drove a pair of oxen, which 
he was constantly urging, and sometimes the more he urged, the slower 
they went. His ''g'long! g'long!" could often be heard in the village. 
He was frugal and ''honest to a penny." 

Next lived David Grossman, and next to him lived "Diah" Weeks. 

But, we are getting too far away from Babylon. We will therefore 
turn and go back, but first let us look over in the lot and we may see 
"Uncle Diah" Weeks hoeing corn without any hat on his head. He 
would always work out of doors bare-headed, no matter how hot or how 
cold it chanced to be. 

Turning from Diah Weeks^ and looking westward we may notice 
a road, we will take the road and proceed to the west a short distance 
to the old grist mill and pond, also the farm, all of which belonged to 
Stephen Sweezy. This property passed to the ownership of Mr. 
Sweezy's son, Gilbert, and Stephen Sweezy, purchased mill property 
south of Jamaica and removed there. Gilbert Sweezy sold the mill 
property and farm to August Belmont, Sr., which ever since has been 
been known as the August Belmont place. 

On our return south now to Babylon we see on the right, the farm 
of long John Oakley, which afterward belonged to William Burling, 
who tried to raise heavy crops from light soil. 

Next to that were the farms of Treadwell and Miles Weeks; both 
were thrifty farmers and exemplary men, and left a posterity who 
follow in their footsteps, and are worthy citizens. 

The next resident was Eliphalet Piatt. He was a very small man, 
but could in his earlier days, cut more grass in a day, and carry a heav- 
ier load inside of his vest and get safely home with it, than any man 
double his size. 



Bemimscences of Babylon. 39 

Next was Stephen Sammis. He lived there many years and was 
respected by all who knew him. 

The next house to that of Stephen Sammis' was ''Aunt" Louisa 
Leek's, and then came the farm of Elias Leek. Mr. Leek was an upright 
man, and a frugal, thrifty farmer. He dealt largely in cord wood, and 
was a hard worker. He was an intimate friend of David Smith, and 
like him in many ways. He made farming a success. Elias Leek was a 
brother to Aunt Sally Oakley and Mrs. Edwin Underhill before men- 
tioned. 

Next to Elias Leek's was the house of Harry Dow. An old-fashion- 
ed well, with its long sweep, stood in front of the house, near the front 
gate. Harry's voice was naturally set on a very low key, and when he 
talked it sounded as though it came from some deep cavern. He usually 
wore a high black hat that had been brushed so often that there was 
not enough fur left to require the use of a brush any more. He carried 
a very crooked cane, and was always accompanied by his little dog, 
which kept close to his heels. F. M. Southard occupies the premises 
now. 

Charles A. Dow was then building the house on the corner of 
Southard's Lane and Deer Park avenue. He afterward removed to 
Dubuque, Iowa. Solomon Smith has owned the home for many years. 

The next was the house of Jacob Dow, who was found dead one 
day under Nathaniel Oakley's mill. 

Jacob Dovst under the Mill. 

Dying and dead, under the quaint old mill, 
Through the lone night, while the wheels were still. 
And bright stars came, their watch to keep 
Over the dead in his long last sleep. 

Dead ! in the morning on the cold, cold ground ; 
While the mill wheels merrily went around. 
And the south winds blew the silvery spray, 
On the form whose spirit had flown away. 

Dying and dead, in the cold dark place. 
No tender hand to smooth his face ; 
But Angels came, with staff and rod, 
:' . To bear his spirit home to God. 



40 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

Next to Jacob Dow was the house of Frederick Smith, standing in 
front of the Babylon Burying Ground, which was a small place, with 
but few tombstones to mark the overgrown and apparently neglected 
mounds. At that time the burying ground was considered quite a 
distance from the village, but since then the village has grown up to its 
very borders and almost encroaches upon its sacred precincts. The little 
space has been added to and has grown to be a good-sized cemetery, and 
is kept in better condition each succeeding year. It is here where the re- 
mains of one or more members of almost every family of whom we 
have written have found their last resting place and are almost forgot- 
ten by the world. 

Passing Frederick Smith's house, we would come to where Eichard 
Dingee once lived. It was occupied by Whitman Jarvis. "Whit" 
peddled fish and clams for a while, and afterward built a hut on the 
east end of Oak Island, where George Mott's home is, and was for a long 
time engaged in the clam trade. At that time clams abounded in the 
waters of the bay, and were especially found in the vicinity of Oak 
Island. They found a ready sale in Babylon and vicinity. It might be 
well to state here that a clam trade at that time was of no small magni- 
tude. Several vessels were engaged in transporting them to New York 
and other places. It was a common sight to see several sloops or schoon- 
ers at the same time in Babylon Cove with an empty basket at the mast 
head, signalling that they were ready to load with clams. They were 
not kept waiting long, for clams were plentiful. Thus a lively trade 
was kept up for many years. But now that branch of the bay indus- 
tries has had its day, and exists no longer, except to an extremely limit- 
ed extent compared with the past. The large bargain store, built by 
Mr. Burns, stands on the old Jarvis homestead, corner Park avenue. 

The first house south of Jarvis' was that of Charles Wicks. He 
was at one time connected with Stephen Leek in the carpentering busi- 
ness, and was known as ' ' Carpenter Charles. ' ' This served to designate 
him from "Long Charles," "Short Charles," "Old Charles," "Young 
Charles ' ' and ' ' Pond Charles. ' ' His farm comprised all the land lying 
between the grove, now the DoUard Block, and the Babylon cemetery, 
and extended westward to the brook. The railroad now runs through 
what was once his corn fields and pasture lots. "Carpenter Charles" 
was, as many old-fashioned men were, good-natured and easy, and quite 
humorous. One very dry summer, when crops were light, a friend met 
him one day and said : ' ' Uncle Charles, how is your hay this year ? ' ' 
He answered: "Fine, very fine; almost as fine as needles." Mr. and 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 41 

Mrs. Wicks had a large family of daughters, all amiable and handsome. 
They were among the elite of the place, and were held in the highest 
esteem. 

We are now coming back near the village, and the next house was 
the Presbyterian parsonage, occupied by the Rev. Gaylord L. Moore. 
Mr. Moore was a talented and accomplished gentlemen, and was be- 
loved, not only by his own congregation, but by all who knew him, for 
"to know him was to love him." He was faithful and successful in the 
discharge of his ministerial duties. But he, like many other good men, 
loved some things that perhaps may have been termed a little worldy. 
He took great delight in his garden and was seldom outdone in growing 
f^ne crops and choice kinds of fruits and flowers. His poultry yard 
was stocked with the finest Shanghais and Brahmas that could be found, 
end his hens were never behind those of his neighbors in laying eggs. 
Mr. Moore's official duties were arduous. On Sunday he preached at 
Babylon in the forenoon and at Islip in the afternoon. He kept a horse, 
which, though not handsome, was yet a good stepper and it quite often 
happened that on his return home from Islip on a Sunday afternoon 
he would be overtaken by some of the young "sports" who were numer- 
ous at that time, each one of whom kept a good horse, and on their re- 
turn, perhaps from Capt. Carey's or Stellenwerf 's, would be driving 
at a lively gait, and anxious for a brush with anyone they might over- 
take, and sometimes it happened to be the minister. The reverend gen- 
tleman would take no notice, apparently, to the Sabbath breakers, but 
his horse would catch the spirit of "go", and the sly pressure on the 
bit was well understod by the animal, and all the apparent hard pull- 
ing of the driver would not keep him in check. It oftentimes occurred 
that a good "brush" was had in that way, and if the minister's horse 
came in ahead there was a smile somewhere down in Mr. Moore's coat 
sleeve. 

In many ways Mr. Moore differed from most clergymen. He made 
men on€ of his chief studies, and took especial pains to make the person- 
al acquaintance of men, the average men, such as may be found in any 
village or town. His theory was, that he thought he was studying that 
which was nearest to God, so he made himself friendly to all classes and 
conditions of men. He did this without lowering himself or sacrificing 
the dignity of his calling. He was a close observer, and a student of 
human nature. It was a common thing to see him beside the blacksmith 
at his forge, or the shoemaker on his bench. In fact, the workers in all 
local industries, would frequently receive a short friendly call from 



42 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

him; always accompanied with a cheering word and pleasant smile j 
while he was drawing inspiration from what he saw and heard among 
the toilers in practical everyday life. He preached, and believed that 
the best and the nearest path which led Godward was through the hearts 
of his fellow beings. 

The next house south of where Mr. Moore lived remains just as it 
then was. It was occupied by the highly esteemed family of Sidney 
Bunce. 

Next to that house was the house of John Snodgrass. Next was 
the harness shop of Mr. Snodgrass. It stood where Bishop's Music 
store is. Mr. Snodgrass was always a lover of poetry and music. He 
formerly had quite a store of good old songs, many of which he would 
often sing in a pleasant and winning manner on fitting occasions. 
Among his favorites were "John Anderson, my Joe John," and the 
"Down Hill of Life," which were always listened to with marked at- 
tention and were highly appreciated. 

Next to this shop stood Solomon Hawxhurst's blacksmith shop, 
where Terry's large building is, and then Smith & Jarvis' wheelwright 
shop, and south of that a little red house then used by them as a trim- 
ming shop. An old pear tree stood in front of it, which always attract- 
ed the attention of the boys as soon as the pears were large enough for 
them to knock off. 

We now come back to the American House, from which we first 
started. 

The reader will remember that our story last week brought us back 
to the American Hotel. We will tarry at the corner for a moment to tell 
you that right on this Babylon Lane, now called Deer Park avenue, is 
wherg a.lJ the horse racing and trotting, foot racing, greased pig chas- 
ing, meU racing and all that class of sports often took place. It was 
on this lane that the once famous trotting mare, "Lady Suffolk" made 
some of her best time and showed to the world that she was the fastest 
trotter of that day. The writer of this sketch has often seen, even in 
his day, some gaod racing and trottng down this street, and has wit- 
nessed the commoner sports of foot racing, etc. And, indeed, foot rac- 
ing was quite common then, but was not considered as belonging to the 
higher class of sports. Almost everything has changed since then, and 
foot racing is now embraced on the code of athletic exercises and as 
such is encouraged by many who favor such sports, and in fact by 
almost everybody except "tramps". They believe in walking. Oliver 
Smith, from Penataquit, (hqw 3ay Shore), used to run very fast, as 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 43 

well as a number of others; and then "after all" short "Abe" Crum, 
could beat them all. He was low rigged, and when "under way" his 
legs looked like a spinning wheel; but he "got there with both feet," 
and has carried off many a laurel. The reader will remember that when 
we started on our long journey it was from the American House. It 
has taken some time to go over the route. An let us consider that 
while we have been thus engaged, "The American" had its "ups and 
downs" and a varied experience under different managers, and had 
lost much of its old time prestige ; but in time Selah C. Smith had given 
up his store business at Islip, and had purchased the "American." In 
imagination we drop in and see how nice everything was. Mr. Smith 
had brought new ambition, new regulations, new system and almost 
everything else new, and under his wise and judicious care the house 
soon regained more than its former reputation, and actually became 
famous and celebrated for its orderly regulations, as well as for the 
quality and quantity of its viands. Mr. Smith was a man who personal- 
ly looked after those valuable "little things" — details. Certain farm- 
ers brought him eggs; certain others milk, and a number of faithful 
women in north and northwest Babylon raised early chickens expressly 
for the "American," and for many years "Selah" went after the chick- 
ens himself, paying "spot cash," and every chicken must be of standard 
weight. All the old patrons of the house knew of these things and ap- 
preciated them, enjoyed the comforts of the "American" and pat- 
ronized it liberally. Selah remained at the "American" until he built 
the "Watson House," and removed there. He was an excellent horse 
man and an expert judge of that animal, owned many a fine one him- 
self, and at times received a very acceptable revenue from his careful 
investments in horses. Selah was of a cheerful disposition ; he loved a 
joke, and seldom lost an opportunity to "get the laugh" on someone. 
But some of his "chums" caught him just once, and perhaps it will do 
no harm to tell it here. Mr. Smith often went to New York, but would 
never remain over night. On one occasion his friends made his business 
so important and delayed him so long that he was compelled to remain 
all night. His friends urged him to visit the "San Francisco Min- 
strels" that evening, all occupying prominent front seats. "Backus" 
and the other members of the troupe had been posted, and in due time 
the ' ' middle man ' ' said : 

"Mr. Backus, I have missed you lately. Have you been away?" 

"Yes, sir." 



44 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

""Where have you been?" 

"Down to Babylon." 

*'* Put up at a hotel, I suppose?" 

"Yes, sir." 

"What hotel did you stop at?" 

^'The American." 

"Who is the landlord?" 

*'Selah Smith." 

"Set a good table?" 

"Yes, yes." 

"What did you have, Mr. Backus?" 

"Soup." 

"What kind of soup?" 

"Bean soup." 

"It was good, was it?" 

"You bet. I nebber saw any such soup before. I went and asked 
the cook how dey made it." 

"Did the cook tell you?" 

"Yes, he told me." 

"How was it made?" 

"He said they took a half a barrel of water and put two quarts of 
beans in it, and let it cook two days, then strained it." The laugh of 
the whole house of course, was on Mr. Smith, who took it very kindly, 
though much embarassed. 

From the American House we will go over to Smith & Bunce's 
store, but first will ask you to notice that long part of the American 
House which runs northward; well that is the ball room, and there is 
where they used to have balls, too. When Watson kept the house soci- 
ables were held every two weeks during the winter season, and they 
were jolly times. During the time that Selah C. Smith kept the house 
it was often filled to its fullest capacity on occasions like that just men- 
tioned. The town clock ball and the centennial reception were occa- 
sions long to be remembered, as well as any other notable events. 

The view from Smith & Bunce's store commanded Babylon Lane 
now Deer Park avenue, and from the stoop and front windows an ex- 
cellent view could be had of a race, without paying ' ' gate money. ' ' It 
was said the store would often do a thriving business on such days — 
chiefly from a class of people whose religious scruples would forbid 
their appearance on the street to witness a horse race ; but they could 



Beminiscences of Babylon. 4§ 

''kill two birds with one stone" — do their trading and see the race at 
the same time, A certain good minister at a little earlier date wasi 
known to exactly fit a chair that belonged in the store and on racing 
days the shrewd clerks knew just where to place it, and when the mini- 
ster came to do his trading he would be just tired enough to sit dowij 
in the chair to rest until the race was over and the crowd out of the 
way so he could go home. He would always see the race, and, of course^ 
enjoyed it. 

We will now take a walk down toward the bay, through what is 
now Fire Island avenue. "We have spoken of the west side of the street 
before, and will now notice what is on the east side of it. Smith ^ 
Bunce 's feed house was the first building south of the corner store, and 
next was David S. Conklin 's cabinet making and undertaking establish- 
ment, and next the home of Henry Placide, the once noted comedian, 
Mr. Placide was an old school comedian and a "star." He lived in an 
era that could boast of the best talent that ever graced a stage. ' ' Old- 
timers" will remember the names of Burton, Blake, Wallack, Broug- 
ham, Barrett, Wheatley and many others famous away back in the days 
of the Park Theatre, Burton's in Chamber street, the old Broadway, 
etc. These men were all favorably known to theatre-goers, and were 
patronized and appreciated. Henry and Thomas Placide were brothers 
and used to take part in a play called ' * The Brothers. ' ' George Bar- 
rett was called ' ' Gentleman George. ' ' He lived at Islip when aged and 
he and Henry Placide visited each other frequently, an,d were both in^ 
teresting men and gentlemen of the highest culture. The house iii 
which Mr, Placide lived is now a tenement house. 

Next was the small cottage on the southwest corner of what is now 
the Watson House property. It was then occupied by Jonathan Sam-; 
mis. It stands just south of the Watson House. 

The next house was that of Ira Oakley, on the corner, which re.-- 
mains there still and is quite an "old Iandma,:^k^" 

Captain Ira Oakley was a man of small stature, but he possessed 
fortitude and courage sufficient for the most stalwart giant. His manly- 
characteristics, and skill in handling a boa,t gave him a preference over- 
many others in "sailing company" in the old days. It is quite evident 
that his sons inherited many of his traits. Captains Henry and Smith 
Oakley through most all of their years have followed the water, chief ly- 
on the Great South Bay, and have always been recognized as "Fron^ 
Rank" men. 



46 Beminiscences of Babylon. 

The old song of "A Life on the Ocean Wave, And a Home on the 
Rolling Deep" as it used to be sung everywhere from sixty to seventy 
years ago, must have captivated the heart of Henry Oakley, for when 
a young man he engaged in the whaling business which meant to be on 
the water. Henry Oakley was not the only one for "Old Neptune" 
lashing and surging upon the south shores and east end of Long Island 
bewitched many of her best young men to try both the romance and 
realities of a life on the sea, Such as could be experienced on no other 
vessel than a whaling ship. The Civil war afterward found an import- 
ant "port" for many of these men in maturer years, and among them 
was Henry Oakley who became Lieutenant in the Navy and who secur- 
ed many "marks" to his credit and appointments to honary positions. 

Captain Smith Oakley and his big sail boat the "Tommy Dodd" 
figured as a "Leader" in the Great South Bay and have furnished un- 
told delight and pleasure to countless numbers who were his patrons, 
while both the days and years were going by. 

Both Henry and Smith are hale and hearty and apparently love 
to handle the "tiller" as well as ever. 

The house recently used as a wirless telegraph station was oc- 
cupied by the "original" Andrew Jacobs, it was then being built by 
Piatt Frost, who was a brother to the late lamented Townsend Frost. 
Piatt moved away from Babylon soon after building this house. 

Andrew Jacobs, was one of Babylon's oldest citizens. Everybody 
knew Andrew, for he remembered everything that had transpired since 
Eclipse and Henry run. He was a good talker, and was always full of 
"game." Many years ago he owned the fast sailing cat boat "Mod- 
esty." She was the fastest boat that sailed from Babylon Cove at that 
time. The writer, with a number of others, formed a sailing club named 
after his boat "The Modesty," and frequently took an excursion with 
Andrew, who was always in his best trim and happy when the Modesty 
Club were having a jolly good time. 

In this southeastern section of the village, the view is attractive and 
varies with the change of seasons and weather conditions. In summer 
when the meadows are green and reaches out to clasp hands with the 
uplands by the winding road which leads to the dock it is 
fringed with myriads of matchless wild flowers and specimens of grass, 
which are to be found nowhere else ; and which gives to the meadows a 
beauty which is all its own, while the waters of the creek flow on its 
winding way from where the old mill flume was, to the bay; which is 



Beminiscences of Babylon. 47 

ever ready with open arms to receive it. The waters of the creek shim- 
mering in the sunbeams lends an additional charm to the scene; and 
enhances the view eastward toward the beautiful "West Islip section; 
and in the glow of a summer day it brings to the observer a sensation 
of a restfulness and delight. But the conditions, even in summer are 
sometimes suddenly changed. "When the angry east wind starts west- 
ward as a pioneer to the storm which is to follow, changing the peace- 
ful scenes just described, to one of fury, storm and perhaps danger. 

"When winter lays hold of all things with its icy fingers and the 
green has turned to gray, and the meadows are sear and its beauty gone, 
except to the few who have a love for nature in all her forms a scene 
strikingly peculiar to the winter season is occasionally seen and this 
change of scene occurs — 

When the Tide is Running Low. 

When the northwest wind is blowing hard, and the tide is running low. 
And the bottom of the creek is bare where the water used to flow. 
Where oftentimes 'tis deep enough to sail the biggest boat ; 
But when the tide is running low, a dinghy wouldn't float. 

Beyond the creek, along the shore, the sand flats are all bare, 
And men with baskets, spades and hoes are busy working there, 
Digging the big fat, lucious clams which on the sand flats grow, 
And a jolly time the clammers have, when the tide is running low. 

The wind blows over the meadows cold, and touches with a sting. 
But the men heed not — and the winter gulls are soaring on the wing ; 
They scream and watch with eager eyes, and when the clammers go, 
They have a feast among themselves, where the tide is running low. 

And tired men, with fingers cold and shoulders with a load. 
Are wending toward their quiet homes, along the frozen road. 
Kings might envy them their feast, but a man must dig to know 
The sweetness of the clams they get, when the tide is running low. 

We have made no special mention of the homestead of Mr. and 
Mrs. Edwin Underhill. It was an attractive place, with large flower 
gardens, etc. Both host and hostess were hospitable and much respect- 



48 Beminiscences of Babylon. 

ed. James T. Bertine bought the Underhill homestead and farm, which 
included all the present Crescent property. Mr. Bertine established 
a steam saw and turning mill near where B. P. Field built a new house 
on the corner now owned by Mr. Harris. The mill was under the care 
of the late Boss Piatt Heartt, and was used for turning locust posts 
and sawing yellow pine rails for the fences of the whole farm. And 
much of it remains on the Crescent at the present time. The home- 
stead was afterward purchased by Hon. John R. Reid, a man whom all 
knew, and on whom nature lavished the gift of superior intellect, and a 
discriminating literary taste, together with an ambition to make the best 
use of his endowments. Through his own efforts and a strict adher- 
ance to those principles which act as levers to lift a man up to the plat- 
form of success and fame, he achieved a fame which many able men 
have failed to do. In early life the law was chosen by him as a field 
for his labors and through his entiring energy he reached the top round 
of the ladder in his profession, and could doubtless look from his exalt- 
ed position down over life's road, and wonder, even to himself at the 
obstacles which he had overcome in his own onward and upward course. 
Many a fading glimmering ray 
And weary night have passed away. 

While he was gathering gems of literature and plucking knowledge 
from the solid books of law, to be carefully stowed away in his great 
mental storehouse, which was already well filled with a goodly share of 
that which he was seeking. Horace Greeley once said : ' ' Young man, go 
West." John R. Reid, would doubtless have said: ''Young man, go 
wherever duty calls, but above all else go to work. ' ' 

'Tis work that brings the whitest bread 
And slumber sweet to the weary head. 

'Tis work that graces the toiler with an independency of man- 
hood that is exalted and honorable. On the bench, at the bar, in the 
store and work shop, on the old farm — or wherever it may be — 'tis 
work that will bring Heaven's smiles and light the dark pathway of 
life, and aid you on your way to an honorable and successful career. 

At the time of which we write most of the people of Babylon were 
natives of the soil, and but few lived here who came from a foreign 
country. I can scarcely call to mind but two heads of families who were 
natives of Ireland. One of these was James Durkin, who worked for 
Mrs. Piatt Carll; the other was Nicholas Daily, then in the employ of 
Alanson Seaman. This fact was so marked that when Prospect street 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 49^ 

was laid out, and Nicholas Daily became one of the first purchasers of 
lots on that street, some wag called it ' ' Cork Avenue, ' ' and it was known 
by that name for some time. The owners of the property who gave it 
for a street desired that it be named Prospect street, and it was a long 
time doubtful which it should be; but more of Ireland's fair representa- 
tives moved in and all became Americanized, and the natives in the 
meantime increased and multiplied, and the view from "Nick's" house 
toward the bay being so beautiful, it was said: "Let it be Prospect 
street," and so it has been ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Daily lived long 
and prospered. Both himself and family were respected. His boys 
don't care whether he was born in Ireland or Deer Park. They are 
somewhat "Corkey", however, in this particular: They always float 
on top, and you cannot sink them. Nicholas Daily and his buxom, 
bright, cheerful, industrious wife, were a frugal and a prosperous 
couple, and commanded the esteem and respect of all who knew them. 
They were the parents of a large family, among the survivors of whom 
are our honoured fellow townsman and Supervisor, Edward Daily, 
Charles S. Daily, of Islip, and Thomas Daily of Jamaica, all representa- 
tive, staunch and prosperous men. A living credit not only to the name 
of those who reared them, but also to the place which they still love to 
call home sweet home. The population of Babylon today, like all other 
villages in our land, is made up of people of nearly every nationality. 

Back in the earlier days all the fresh water streams in the near 
vicinity of Babylon were well stocked with trout, which afforded excel- 
lent fishing for the lovers of the speckled beauties, who found pleasure 
in the fascinating sport of taking them. The old hotel registers could 
show the names of Some of the most prominent men of the country, who 
have spent many a happy day in gratifying to the fullest extent their 
love for angling. The faces of such men as Daniel Berrien , John 
Schenck, Philo T. Ruggles, Royal Phelps and a host of New York's fav- 
orite sons were familiar to our villagers, for they spent much time here, 
enjoying the sport that no other locality so near New York could fur- 
nish. 

The bay fishing at that time was all that could be desired for either 
pleasure or profit. The first blue fishing the writer ever enjoyed was off 
Conklin's Point, where those fish could usualUy be caught in great num- 
bers. In the autumn of 1853 the writer purchased five blue fish weigh- 
ing about fifteen pounds each. The man from whom they were purchas- 
ed had a two-horse wagon load, many of which undoubtedly were equal 



50 Beminiscences of Babylon. 

in size to those mentioned. The price paid was four cents per pound. 
When blue-fish made their appearance in the bay (not ocean), usually 
the latter part of May, extra stages and wagons would be required to 
bring loads upon loads of jolly fellows from Deer Park on the arrival 
of the trains there, who had come to have a good time in blue-fishing. 
They would be sure to have it, and would return home with full 
stomachs, brown faces, happy hearts and plenty of fish. Such parties 
would often leave a large surplus of fish on the grass lawns at the hotels 
and anyone in the least fish hungry could help themselves to their satis- 
faction. Fish invariably run large in size, and such as are in these 
days readily sold in our markets would never have been brought ashore 
by the old-time fishermen. 

What has been said in this little sketch in relation to blue-fishing 
interests in the bay might also be said in relation to that of eeling. 
Could anyone have walked down Fulton street, in the city of Brooklyn, 
fifty or sixty years ago, they probably would have noticed many pecul- 
iar looking wagons on both sides of the street near the ferry, and on 
looking up Fulton street would perhaps have seen still more coming. 
They were all of about the same style, being low rigged, with a long 
body and a top covered with unpainted canvas. These wagons, in ap- 
pearance were much like those used in earlier times by emigrants going 
West, and one would have taken them to be such until they learned that 
they were used chiefly for carting eels from Babylon and vicinity to 
the New York markets. After seeing these wagons and learning for 
what they were used, if you could, like Amos Tooker, (walk from Brook- 
lyn to Babylon in six hours or more), you could have seen at about 
'regular intervals between Amityville and Patchogue great wells or 
springs, near the brooks, that were filled with dressed eels, placed there 
to cool and harden, and be ready for the marketmen to take to market 
in the top wagons before mentioned. The following story was told of 
the once popular Gen. R. A. Udall, while representing this Assembly 
district at Albany. One evening, while entertaining some friends at 
dinner, the conversation reverted to the fishing interests in Mr. Udall's 
district, and the question was asked by someone from the interior if 
eels could be found in the waters of the Great South Bay? The General's 
answer was: Eels? you bet. It must be a cold day when they can't; 
you can go down on my shore anywhere and wade in the bay up to your 
your pantaloon pockets in nothing but solid eels. Whenever we want 
eels we take a basket and just scoop up all we want." The story per- 



Beminiscences of Babylon. 51 

haps may be somewhat exaggerated, but it will suffice to convey the idea 
that in earlier times eels, as well as everything else that had a home in 
the bay, were far more plentiful than at the present time. 

Perhaps there were not so many boats employed at that time in 
carrying company, and it may be they were not built with such grace- 
ful outlines and made so beautiful in appearance as many of them are 
now ; but they were built as strong and were as able to carry a load and 
battle with the wind and waves, as those are of the present time, and 
they were called boats instead of yachts. Steam yachts and power 
boats were not dreamed of then. Their captains were as skillful in man- 
aging their vessels, and they considered themselves in full uniform when 
dressed in an oil-skin suit and a "sou'wester" hat, instead of gold but- 
tons and gilt trimmings. Summer cabins were not known then, and 
most of the pleasure boats were open, and parties going on the bay gen- 
erally expected to return with a sun-burned face and wet clothing, and 
in that particular were seldom disappointed. Beach parties were of fre- 
quent occurence. The villagers and others would join, and oftentimes 
several boats would be required to accommodate them. They would go 
somewhere on the beach, the men would catch the clams and all have a 
jolly time, and such clam bakes as they would have, will do to talk about, 
but are seldom seen nowadays. On the home trip all hands would ex- 
pect to have a ''good ducking" and were not disappointed. The 
"women folks" enjoyed it as well as the men. They would be dressed 
for it and expected it. Saturday was a great day for the bay with the 
"Up Neckers", people living up north of here, so called at that time. 
Loads of them could be seen coming down on Saturday morning, with 
the biggest wagon they had. 

The would have a regular "salt up" and bring home clams enough 
to stock a good-sized market in these days, and enough to last them until 
Saturday should come again. Among the captains of the sailing ves- 
sels who plied ther trade between Babylon and New York and other 
cities may be remembered Capt. Jonathan Sammis, Fleet Sammis, 
Joseph Albin, Nathan Rose, William Brower, Leonard C. Pettit, George 
W. Pettit, Amos Tooker, John de Garmo, and others whom memory 
fails to recall. During the summer the captain of each sloop or schoon- 
er would find time to have his vessel "cleaned up" and invite every- 
body to have a sail to the beach. Everybody would accept the invita- 
tion, and a good time was generally had. The decks of the vessel would 
apparently make as good a dancing floor for the excursionists as the 



52 Beminiscences of Babylon. 

opera house stage does for the elite of New York in these days, and the 
music of one fiddle, vigorously played, would incite the feet to as true 
time and graceful step as the inspiring strains of Gilmore's Band or 
Bernstein's popular orchestra do now. Such sports were peculiar to 
this locality, and were enjoyed by those who lived here before us. And 
while this old-fashioned sociability prevailed so generally, and was con- 
ducive to make the summer pastimes enjoyable and pleasant, it was not 
forgotten in the winter season. There was seemingly more snow during 
the winter months then than of later years, and sleigh riding was fully 
indulged in. Large parties were often made up for a ride to some sister 
village. These excursions would frequently occur, and a good time 
would always be had. It was considered a nice evening's ride to Conk- 
lin Vande water 's, at South Oyster Bay and return. A ride to Vande- 
water's usually included a stop at Oliver Powell's, who kept a hotel 
just west of the old toll gate at Amityrille. Oliver and his great laugh 
would always meet his guests at the door, and his salutation was : "Well, 
I declare. Boy's, I'm wonderful glad to see you." With a short stay 
at Oliver's, it would not take long to reach "Conk's," who was always 
ready and always expecting company at sleigh riding times. A good 
supper and a lively dance, and then off for home. Often could the mer- 
ry jingle of sleighbells be heard on the midnight air, their music echoed 
back by happy voices from under the robes, while the fleet horses beat 
time with their feet and trotted homeward at a lively pace. Many 
would often join in these rides to Vandewater's, and the time was pleas- 
antly enjoyed. There is no Oliver Powell's now, no Vandewater's, and 
no old-fashioned sleighrides to the places that were once so popular. 
Should many of the young folks of the present hear the old people talk- 
ing of "old times," and, perhaps with a sigh, remark that times have 
changed since they were young, they would very likely say: "The old 
folks are a 'little off', they are getting so very childish it almost kills 
one to bear with them. ' ' But could they know one-half, they would not 
blame the old folks for cherishing pleasant memories of the past, even 
in small things that go so far to make life pleasant or otherwisse. 

It seems true that life is made up of small things, and very often, 
we are reminded of the lessons taught by those sweet simple words. 
Little drops of water, little grains of sand, etc., whom the author, Mrs. 
Julia A. Carney, has penciled off for some children when she was a 
young woman, never dreaming they would ever become immortalized 
or popular, and so sometimes a little thought will become fixed in the 



Eeminiscences of Babylon. 53 

mind, or an incident occur through which something will be brought 
into existence, becoming helpful to some, valuable to others and of bene- 
fit to all. 

Many years ago there were two men living in Babylon who became 
close companions and intimate friends. It was the custom for many 
years to secure a boat for the summer season, and together, would fre- 
quently go for a day's pleasure on the bay, to the island, etc. It hap- 
pened one day while they were having their lunch on the meadows at 
Oak Island. A few of the town officials, (who were there on some busi- 
ness for the town), came along, and were invited to partake of a lunch 
with the two men. They accepted the invitation and appeared to enjoy 
the affair very much, which was particularly noticed by the two 
"hosts", who thought that at some future time, they would give the 
officials something on a larger scale, really worth enjoying. 

The following season they planned to invite the "Town Board" 
and a few other guests to spend a whole day with them at the Island. 
They secured the services of Babylon's favorite caterer, the late John 
M. Baylis, and procured a large tent which they pitched on Oak Island 
about where F. S. Thorpe's house stands. A day of feasting and fun 
was enjoyed by the dozen or more who constituted the party. The late 
Charles T. Duryea, who was supervisor of our town and kept the Sum- 
pawams Hotel at the time was "toast master." Among the thoughts 
inspired by this festive occasion was one to the effect that something of 
this character should be had often and on a larger scale. On the Beach 
opposite was the original building of the Life Saving Station which 
had been abandoned and was empty. One of the guests said: "Let's 
buy a part of the Beach for ourselves. ' ' Another responded ' ' Yes and 
take the old Government building and fit it up to suit us, etc, etc. 
Supervisor Duryea calmly remarked: "Boys, the building belongs to 
'Uncle Sam' and we are his children." If we want the building we'll 
take it and "Uncle Sam" won't say a word. These thoughts followed 
the members of the party to their homes, and it led to convening a large 
portion of our business men in a meeting at the Sumpawams Hotel, 
now the Fishel Building, at which meeting the Oyster Planters and 
Business Men's Association was organized as a club, with suitable con- 
stitution and by-laws. A lease to run for twenty years was taken upon 
a piece of land on the Beach three thousand feet east and west, anc^ 
from the Bay to the Ocean. The old Life Saving Building was con- 
fiscated by "Uncle Samuel's" children and moved to about the middle 



54 Beminiscences of Babylon, 

of the land covered by the lease. The building was enlarged and re- 
modeled and established as the club house of the Oyster Planters and 
Business Men's Association, on the spot of Van Nostrand's Hotel, and 
the old building was incorporated into the present "Van Nostrand 
House." 

The by-laws of the Association were printed in 1879, with a mem- 
bership at that time of fifty-one. Much less than one-half of that num- 
ber are now living. 

The chain of circumstances which has lead up to the present popu- 
larity of Oak Island and all the other Island Beaches in that vicinity 
can be traced back and down through the Oak Island Club, (as it was 
mostly called), and from the club could be traced to the accidental or 
incidental meeting of a few of the town officials, and the two men who 
entertained them for a short spell on the meadows at Oak Island, at 
which time not one cottage had been erected either on Oak Island or on 
Oak Island Beach, except the Life Saving Station. In after years while 
enjoying the pleasures of Oak Island, the following lines suggested 
themselves which the writer begs leave to insert at this point : 

Oak Island Reverie. 
I love this charming place 
With its plain and simple "make-up" 
In the morning when I wake up ; 
And quiet reigns apace, 
How sweetly comes the resting. 
With no anxious cares molesting 
And peace fills all the space. 

The meadows clothed in green, 
With their graceful outlines curving. 
And whose shaded nooks are serving 
As a resting place and screen. 
For birds when wearied flying. 
And are mating, cooing, shying — 
In quiet all unseen. 

The placid land locked cove. 
The view from the little island 
'er the bay toward the highland, 
With blue skies arched above, 



Reminiscences of Babylon. ■ ■ . 55 

■i • And tides both ebbing and flowing, — 

Trim vessels coming and going, 
Inspires naught else but love. 

Out where the sea gulls call. 
From over the broad, blue ocean, 
Where the waves in ceaseless motion 
Playfully rise and fall. 
Comes a voice the deep sea raises 
Which join the wild bird's praises 
To Him who made it all. 

It was on the meadows at Oak Island and the Beaches where f aim- 
ers from near-by used to harvest the salt hay, in August and September. 
There was quite a romantic side to this kind of work, though it was 
laborious. The preparations for going to the islands, the good wives 
of the men preparing their lunch and jugs of wholesome beverages to 
take with them, the drive to the village and the boating across the bay, 
to the islands, and then — ^the mowing, such as used to be done with 
scythes, had just the shading of romance sufficient to give to the men 
the ambition required to perform their task. When the highest points 
on the Island and Beach began to be dotted with cottages, the view 
from these was beautiful and interesting, at the right season little 
groups of the haymakers could be seen in different parts toiling in their 
honest way, cheered by the balmy winds and the sight and song of birds 
near by. The impoverishment of the meadows, the introduction of 
machines instead of scythes, and from other causes, the haymaking sea- 
son on the Islands is almost entirely a thing of the past. The last hand 
mowers the writer remembers to have seen is some years ago, when one 
morning three men appeared back of his cottage on the Island ; and ere 
long they were in trim and at work. Three men with scythes mowing 
as men used to mow, the scene seemed almost new and claimed the at- 
tention and admiration of the inmates of the cottage, until the hajdng 
was finished which lasted several days. Not being able to recognize the 
men, the ''glasses" revealed their identity proving them to be Woolsey 
Youngs, Jesse Weeks and Elias Floyd, the latter a colored man. AU 
aged men and were reared on the outskirts of our village and were faith- 
ful, true, upright and honest ; a fair type of the many whose life honor- 
ed the name of manhood in the days gone by. The reader will excuse 



56 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

the introduction (just at this point), of a few thoughts which impressed 
themselves upon the mind of the writer in witnessing the picture just 
described : 

The old mowers came from over the bay, 
To mow the salt meadows, and harvest the hay; 
Strong men, with brawny arms and brown. 
To gather and glean tiU the sun went down. 

With well measured strides all in a row, 
Over the marshes with their forms bent low. 
Worked the mowers — away out to the line, 
With keen blades glistening in the bright sunshine. 

The mowers toiled through the long August day, 
Baking and stacking and carrying hay. 
To the distant barge which was lying in wait. 
To carry safe home, the harvested freight. 

They gathered and gleaned the russet brown hay, 
While the meadow larks sang the hours away. 
The barge sailed back with the men to the town. 
The haying was done and the sun went down. 

Anon — when the cold winds of winter shall blow. 
And the air and crevices are filled with snow ; 
And haymaking time is a thing of the past — 
The song in the meadow — a cold cheerless blast. 

When the gales chant a dirge through the old bam door, 
And the rats are harvesting under the floor ; 
The cattle all housed — ^both brindle and brown. 
Can lazily chew 'till the sun goes down. 

Then the mowers' with big, brawny arms and brown, 
'Round their own firesides, when the sun is down. 
Can boast of their mowing and gathering hay. 
Through the long hours of a warm August day. 

Back in the days to which our story takes us an entirely different 
condition existed in both domestic and business life. There were fewer 



Beminiscences of Babylon, 57 

people, and few grades of society. A more common level existed and 
there seemed to be more complacency and less strenuosity. A sort of 
abiding confidence, instead of a lurking suspicion. Men would trust 
each other without a legal formality, generally a man's word was his 
bond. People felt more free to ask favors without giving offense, and 
willing to bestow favors without recompense. 

the way used up almost half a day. Such things were common and 
were performed with a cheerfulness to which the majority in these 
days are strangers, but memory at times bring them back linked with 
other things of a humane and friendly nature, which seems to magnify 
the truth, that there was more real confidence among men in those days 
than there is in this glorious century. 

Permit me to recite an instance which will more fully illustrate 
what is meant. 

When it was customary for people to put their name on a slate at 
the hotel when they wished to reach Deer Park or Farmingdale to take 
a train to New York. Business men and others would learn from the 
slate who were going, and felt perfectly free to ask favors of those who 
intended to go. The name of the writer, at one time, was on the slate. 
A member of a village business firm said to him : " I notice by the slate 
that you are going to New York." Will you do me a favor? The an- 
swer was: "Certinly." Well we owe the firm of Carll & Strong, drug- 
gists, corner of Burling slip and Water street, in New York, an account 
which we want to pay. If you will take the money and pay them we 
will feel obliged to you. Certainly, said I. The amount was about four 
hundred dollars in money. At the same time another firm asked me to 
pay an account for them at a boot and shoe house, on Warren street. 
That amount was about two hundred and seventy-five dollars, given me 
also in cash. The railroad at that time landed passengers at South 
Ferry, Brooklyn. After crossing the ferry I went immediately to pay 
those accounts and rid myself of further responsibility, and walking all 

The late Charles E. Keteham died June 15th, 1898, in the ninety- 
second year of his age. A few years before his death he told the writer 
that when a young man he drove the stage from Moriches and Patch- 
ogue to Brooklyn for a number of years. That it was a common custom 
for the store keepers and business men along the road to entrust him 
with parcels and packages of money to pay their accounts in the city, 
and that it was his custom to take their packages and place them under 
his seat cushion on the front outside of the stage and leave them there 



58 ' Reminiscences of Babylon. 

until he arrived at Fulton Ferry in Brooklyn and that he never lost a 
cent, and no package was ever disturbed. "We wonder if the like could 
be done in these modern days ? We think not. 

In recalling many things of the past while engaged in this work 
it comes to my mind that the good wives and daughters of our people 
felt as free to ask such favors as the men, and of course, they could not 
be refused. I have often heard that one of the most awkward errands 
for a man to do was to undertake to match a piece of dress goods for a 
woman. I had one errand of that kind which will justify the assertion 
of time, care and patience as above. A woman near my old place of 
business came in my store one day and asked me how soon I was going 
to New York. I answered very soon. She handed me a sample of 
ordinary dress goods asking if I would please get two yards like the 
sample. She was a poor woman, and I said I would try. When I went 
to New York a few days after I put on some extra speed in doing my 
own business for I had done errands of a similar nature for the female 
members of my own family and knew there was not so much fun in it, 
as some female shopper might pretend there was. On all such errands 
my first place to look was at Lord & Taylor's, in Catherine street. I 
was soon there, but not the goods, I then went to Clapp Brothers near- 
by, there were some dry goods stores on Grand street, east of the Bow- 
ery. I went to each one but failed. I next went to Arnold, Constable 
& Co., in Canal street and no success there. I had some business to do 
in Brooklyn, so I crossed Fulton Ferry and took Fulton street up as far 
as there were any dry goods stores, all for nothing. I remember two or 
three small dry goods stores at the junction of Fulton, Sands and 
James streets, I went to them and in the last store found the identical 
goods. I had walked every step of the way, for there were no cars then, 
and dear reader, if you are familiar with the ground which I traveled 
over, you will make up your mind that I was a pretty good walker. 

The only satisfaction in doing such things which require so much 
from the doer, is that one accomplishes that for wrich they set out 
to do, and learn from their own ambition, perseverance and persistency, 
the strength of the powers that often lie dormant within them, which 
can arouse them to the performance of something of value and benefit 
to others, if not for themselves. I succeeded in obtaining what the 
good woman needed, and was happy in the thought that she was happy 
when I handed her the goods, and she said : * ' I am very much obliged 
to you." Little did she dream of the trouble I had taken for her in 




Peleg Cooper's House. 
This house was for many years occupied by Peleg Cooper, afterwards by 
Scudder Bryant, and was located on Main street, where the East End Hotel 
now stands. At present it stands on Cooper street adjoining John Stanton's 
]3lacksniith shop. 



Beminiscences of Babylon. 59 

this little matter. It would have been punishment for her had I told her 
and I would not destroy the pleasure of her satisfaction. She was laid 
at rest many years ago like most all others of her generation. 

A wealthy lady at one time living east of Babylon brought a 
broken caster bottle to me asking if I could possibly get a new one of 
the same make and quality to take the place of this one, as she valued 
the caster very highly? I may here remark that table casters were 
very much in use at that time. I took the broken bottle with me to New 
York and thought I would get the bottle first, and do my other businees 
after. I went to every silverware concern in John street and Maiden 
Lane, where that kind of business was chiefly done, but without success. 
There were a few old established places well up on the Bowery. I 
went there but no success. I next went to every place in the Union 
Square section with no luck. I then tried Gorham Mfg. Co., Tiffany 
and the only last one. Ball, Black & Company, and there, a gentleman 
in the stablishment recognized the bottle as a late French production, 
which was not on sale in this country, that it was a very expensive bot- 
tle and could only be obtained in Paris. As I had spent over half a day 
and walked about six miles to do a favor for this wealthy lady and 
failed I thought it best to not take a trip to Paris, as that was a little 
beyond my reach. 

When I returned the broken bottle to the lady and explained how 
I had exerted myself but failed and that it could be obtained only in 
Paris, she said **"We bought it in Paris last summer." Dear reader I 
went to the mirror and said to the man I saw there "You foolish fel- 
low" why didn't you ask the lady at first where she bought it? It 
costs much sometimes to learn a little. 

The reader will pardon me for relating a few of my experiences 
while traveling between Babylon and Farmingdale on my way to and 
from New York. It will be remembered that the road was built 
through scrub oak and pine woods, just wide enough for one wagon, 
but along the way were turn out places to avoid tree stumps and holes, 
etc., which when passed would join the main road again. Should a 
wagon from each way happen to meet, one of them would have to wait 
on one of these turn outs for the other to pass. This road runs almost 
east and west, and in the winter time the sun would often shine on one 
of the wheel tracks and thaw the ground during the day, while the 
other wheel track would be shaded by the scrub oaks and remain frozen 
all day. One dark night the stage was full of passengers two or three 



so Beminiscences of Babylon. 

women being among the number, the track which the sun had shone 
on during the day was thawed out and was soft ; while the other wheel 
track was hard as a rock, when we were nicely started on the way, all 
of a sudden, one side of the stage went down and would have gone 
over but for the wheels being mired so deep in the mud, it held the 
stage up. The passengers were piled in a heap and the men crawled 
out and held the sunken side up while the horses pulled the stage from 
its anchorage. This same thing occurred at least a dozen times before 
the stage cleared the scrub oaks. Some of the men swore, some laugh- 
ed, and some said nothing, feeling too outraged to speak. The women 
were hysterical and vowed they woudd never venture on such a trip 
again, and I guess they never did. 

At one time I wished to take the early morning train from Farm- 
ingdale to Brooklyn and the stages had not yet commenced to run to 
Farmingdale. In talking the matter over with some of our villagers 
in the evening I learned that Treadwell S. Smith, Manager at the 
Sumpawams Hotel, had a horse but his wagon was disabled. Esquire 
Timothy S. Carll, one of the cleverest men that ever lived, was nearby, 
and learning of my perplexity said he had a wagon asking me at what 
hour in the morning I would like to start, saying that he would be up 
early enough, and would bring his wagon over, and have horse and 
wagon ready for me. Dr. Charles Bishop being nearby said he wanted 
to go to New York also and would be pleased to go with me. The next 
morning Timothy Carll had the conveyance ready at five o'clock and 
Mr. Bishop and I started for Farmingdale. About half way there and 
nearing what was known as Bishop's brook the horse espied a pile of 
black dirt which had been thrown up on the roadside, and it frightened 
the horse who sprang sideways and fell headlong in a ditch; upsetting 
the wagon and dumping Bishop and myself in a heap. It was dark as 
night and we had not even a match. "We did the best we could and 
reached Farmingdale just in time for the six o'clock train. As I recall 
this to my mind at times I feel that beyond it all the kindness of Tim- 
othy Carll on that eventful occasion appears as a bright star in the 
firmament above us. 

The late afternoon train from South ferry at first went as far as 
Hieksville, later on it was extended to Farmingdale and still later went 
as far as Suffolk station, (now Central Islip). In the winter time 
it went no further east than Farmingdale. One day in late autumn I 
took that train expecting to meet our stage at Deer Park, as I had: 



Beminiscences of Babylon. 61 

been doing through the summer, but a new winter schedule had been 
adopted and went into effect that very day, which I did not know when 
leaving Brooklyn. On alighting from the car at Formingdale a man 
asked me if I wished a conveyance? I said what will you charge me 
to take me to Babylon? A dollar and and a half, he replied. I said, 
bring up your rig. He did so and we loaded up. I had a number of 
bundles and wore a new high hat which I had that day bought at 
Melios, Broadway and Canal streets. Many old New Yorkers and men 
of my day will remember two hatters whose reputation for style and 
quality of high hats of that day stood above all others — one was Genin, 
Broadway and Fulton streets, and Melio, corner Broadway and Canal 
streets. With my new hat and a swallow tail coat, I fancied I made a 
nice appearance. When the man wanted the horse to go the horse 
didn't want to move. After a little coaxing he started with a rush, he 
went a little way when, he balked again, and this happened several 
times in a short distance, when I ordered the man to take me back to 
the station. I went to Ansell Powell's hotel and his son, Alexander, a 
fine young man, said he could send me to Babylon. He called to his 
young colored man to hitch up the little bay mare and light wagon and 
take Mr. Field to Babylon. It was a nice rig, a lively animal and the 
darkey seemed proud of the job. He was free to boast of who he had 
driven for, that he understood his business, etc, etc. We were making 
good headway toward Babylon, though dark yet, he let the mare out a 
little more and a little more, and going at a good clip when suddenly 
we ran upon one of the stump turnout places, the horse fell down hard 
enough to break its neck, our wagon was upset, and the darkey and I 
were thrown heels over head in the scrub oaks quicker than a wink. It 
was dark, my new hat had left my head and I had to feel in the brush 
for it. When found it was badly mashed, my face smarted all over 
from scratches and I felt a moisture which was blood. The darkey 
sprang for the horse and got him up. I found my bundles by feeliag 
for them. When hitched up and ready to start again we went slow. 
After awhile it ocurred to me that we were not on the right road. I 
questioned the darkey and he was so positive that it strengthened my 
doubt. We soon came to a road which crossed the one we were going 
east on. With a stern command I made the driver turn to the south and 
drive on, we would fetch the south turnpike somewhere. The darkey 
stuck to it we were going wrong, but we soon came out at Bulger's cor- 
ner, at the very entrance to our village. 



62 Beminiscences of Babylon. 

Had we continued as the darkey wished to, we would have gone 
to Brentwood, then called Thompson's Station. 

On reaching the old American House we were a sorry looking pair, 
very much scratched and bruised and somewhat out of humor. Dear 
reader, this is not fiction, it is the plain truth, may you never meet with 
the like of it, and I don't think you ever will. The story simply nar- 
rates a few of my own experience, and it is reasonable to suppose that 
others have had something similar to it, but are not here to tell of it. 
But whatever the experiences of others may have been, it was accepted 
as a matter of fact and could not be helped. 

In those days there was no South Side Railroad, with twenty-five 
or more trains daily to hustle you to New York in quick time. There 
was no energetic and generous Austin Corbin nor the Pennsylvania 
Railroad Co. to give us parlor cars and common coaches that if seen at 
time would have made the travelers look in amazement at their beauty 
and elegance as well as comfort. But men are never satisfied, and it 
seems the more we have the more we want. With all the traveling facili- 
ties placed at our disposal to take up to New York and elsewhere at 
almost any hour in the day, and in quick time, we do not have enough 
according to the grumbling we often hear. I think, however, the fault 
finders are of the younger generation. Older persons, who have had 
much poorer accommodations than now, are inclined to be more appreci- 
ative of the traveling facilities we have at the present day. Years ago, 
if you wished to go to New York in the morning, in the winter season, 
you would leave your name on the stage order slate at the hotel over 
night, and the stage would stop at your door at half past five the next 
morning to Farmingdale. Rain, snow or cold, it made no difference; 
that was the only way you could go, and if that did not suit you, you 
could remain at home ; and if you had occasion to go often you would 
frequently find yourself the only passenger. I have been the only one 
myself, many a time, and perhaps the buffalo robe would have plenty 
of air holes in it, too. It would be the same coming home through "the 
pines", arriving at about 9 o'clock. 

In the old days inconveniences folks did not mind, and were f uUy 
as happy then as now, and I think even more so. Fashion did not 
reach quite the extremes that it does in these days. There was less to 
make people envious and jealous, and, upon the whole, a truer sociabil- 
ity existed and a more general condition of happiness prevailed. 

In Babylon, like most other villages, there may have been a little 



Beminiscences of Babylon. 63 

gossiping at times, as is usually the ease in small places, but such things 
would perhaps reach to the outskirts of the village and die within its 
limits, just as they should. And if in the blindness of human concep- 
tions, there may have appeared anything, indicative of weakness or 
fault ; they have all long since faded away, like dew in the warmth of a 
bright morning sun. And as we look back through the vista of years, 
and recall the familiar faces of our friends of the past, their virtues 
j<,nd good deeds appear as jewels encased within an immortal setting. 

There were some peculiarly quaint characters in any country vil- 
lage in the earlier days. Facts and customs, did not hold such sway 
over the average people as it has since. 

The education of children, and of the masses, were in many parts 
much neglected for the want of public schools and organized methods 
of teaching, consequently the individuality and eccentricities of people 
were not restrained and were left much to their own development. 

Babylon and vicinity had its share of such folks. The "dry" 
humor and wit which seemed to be born in many was ever present and 
was made good use of, and like pepper and salt as seasoning for food, 
was sprinkled into every day life, which seasoned its cheery side and 
helped it to glide smoothly on, inclining many of the not-over fastidious 
to feel pleasant and cheerful while the old days were going by. 

In those days big blue fish were plentiful in the fall, and many tons 
were caught to be salted down. All the stores along the South Side 
had them for sale during the winter, many families would buy them 
by the tub and thus have a supply on hand for the winter. These large 
fish when suitably freshened and smoked made a delightful dish when 
broiled and are pleasantly remembered by the few who are left to recall 
such things, which have all passed away, never to return. 

This is mentioned simply to convey to the mind of the readers how 
abundantly plentiful the salt water products were in our home waters, 
so plentiful in fact that the people living here in those days did not 
fully appreciate these gifts, which like most of Nature's bountiful 
provisions are left for folks at other periods and from other parts to 
appreciate their value. 

What is mentioned here relating to fish might also apply to wild 
fowl, game birds, etc. Birds were almost as common and sold for al- 
most nothing. In the fall of the year when the season was at its best, 
it was a common thing for such men as John Hendrickson, Epenetus 
Wood, Solomon Saxton, George Sammis and many others to be seen 



64 Beminiscences of Babylon. 

coining up the creek with, anywhere from fifty to a hundred birds, com- 
prising geese, brandt, broadbill, whistlers, mostly all prime birds. This 
perhaps would be the result of one day and a night's shooting, and 
does not include a host of amateurs who were mostly * ' good shots ' ' and 
would kill their share of birds also. 

In the summer shooting no sportman would think of killing the 
little snipe which were in flocks like clouds. They were after the big 
game which was plentiful enough to afford expert sportmen much fine 
work in shooting. 

The ocean and bay products were generally plentiful and were 
usually brought to one's door by the baymen themselves, or some of 
their kin. No fish markets were established here at that time and 
wheelbarrow loads of bay stuff were common throughout the village. 
Prices of everything in that line ranged low. The average price for 
blue fish was three cents per pound, weak fish and all other kinds at 
lower prices. Clams at twenty-five cents per hundred and everything 
else in proportion. Oysters were brought from Patchogue, Bayport and 
Sayville in great abundance and were native "Bluepoints." No for- 
eign oyster seed had ever been brought into the Great South Bay at 
that time. The native oysters were luscious and wholesome. Prices 
were very low. The writer has bought almost hundreds of bushels at 
from fifty to seventy-five cents per bushel. It may easily be noticed 
that the people living in Babylon and vicinity in those days were blessed 
with abundance of these kinds ot rood, which were a common every day 
fare and which (no doubt) contributed largely to the healthy and 
robust constitution of the most of them. * ' The tables have turned" and 
what was then a common article of food, is now classed as being extreme 
and expensive luxuries. The market prices of which is almost pro- 
hibitive to many, who through the force of circumstances, feel com- 
pelled to tune their financial music on an abridged scale, in slower time 
and on a lower key, than those who are not forced to "stand for ex- 
pense" and can reach the highest scale without effort. 

The mind of the writer in going back over the past in this form is 
deeply impressed with the facts that his lot was surely cast in a pleasant 
place. The friendship he has sustained with so many good people, dur- 
ing the fifty-eight years he has made Babylon his home, comes back to 
him on the wings of memory to justify this assertion. His business 
and social relations with almost every one of the older families fori 
many miles in either direction inspired him with an ambition, and cour- 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 65 

age '.to labor and persevere in the lines of common duty. Many names 
could be recalled and mentioned here of those who lived on this eouth 
side strand between South Oyster Bay and Patchogue, who were the 
best and who commanded the respect and love of the masses. The 
memory of the most of these people wereenshrined in the hearts of a 
small host, who also have passed away. But with the writer at times, 
during the hours of his meditation and reflection, the very atmosphere 
seems filled with pleasant memories of those whom he has known, who 
lived on the strand here mentioned. 

The writer is frequently impressed with the belief that in very 
many ways from the time at which our story begins, up to the present 
embraces a period which has been the best in our country's history or 
perhaps in the history of the world. Everything which pertains to the 
activity of human industries, the wonderful development in art and 
science, in the mechanical world and in every kind and thing, which 
pertains to the welfare of mankind, all of which has been with the 
great, grand view to contribute to and increase human happiness, has 
been at its best, and is still in ''full blast" with "high pressure" energy 
which will not submit a defeat. 

Little Babylon will no doubt, keep herself in readiness to "For- 
ward March" keeping time and step with the best of what's going on 
elsewhere, on our own beautiful and dear Long Island. 

The Great South Bay, with its fringes of beach land, which has to 
a large extent been the great" right arm" of the south side, will 
doubtless claim the love and admiration of those who are to follow us. 

The writer cannot surpress the thought that in view of what has 
been accomplished in recent years in the line of dredgings, that some 
of the little "tots" of the present may live to see the day when all, or 
much of the water between the Bay channels and beaches will be dotted 
with little islands, established there for the purpose of building cot- 
tages. All done by dredging. Deep water ways will lead to these is- 
lands, for motor boats, etc. Imagine, if you can, what a beautiful sight 
it will be to look through your glasses, over to the beautiful cottages 
built (to all appearances) on the water. Then imagine, if you can, how 
much money all this will bring to be distributed among the toilers on 
the "merry" South Side. All this is within the range of a possibility. 
Time will make it a probability, and a few more years added to that will 
undoubtedldy make it a reality and verify this prediction, if the idea 
can be received and considered as such. 



66 Beminiscences of Babylon. 

It is reasonable to suppose that when that time arrives many of 
the old names of Long Island people will have become almost extinct, 
or so remote, as to be seldom heard, especially many of those familiar 
to the writer and others of his day and generation. 

The city directories, postoffice matter, and all records of names, 
even at this period, is so conspicuously different from the old plain 
"Yankee" names that it cannot fail to be noticed what a great change 
emigration is making in this direction, as well as other countless ways. 
One need not consult records, or go to the crowded city streets to wit- 
ness the hordes who are not of American birth. Our own village 
thoroughfares, as well as that of all other towns daily show, many of 
these strangers, which impresses the observer, with the reality and pecu- 
larity of what is steadfastly and rapidly taking place and will so long 
as the introduction of foreign element continues to mingle and mix in 
the process of becoming Americanized. 

;• Many of these people though of humble origin may yet become con- 
spicuous in the affairs of American life and leave a posterity, who may 
help to constitute the backbone of American aristocracy of the future. 

In a common acquaintance with others, how frequently we fail to 
estimate them correctly and little things sometimes reveal that their 
-capabilities, are far beyond our weak conceptions, or imaginations. 
'«= ^e meet folks as men and women, giving no thought as to what 
they may have learned in childhood or earlier days, and usually what 
is learned during that period of life, is not forgotten. No one who 
knew the late Austin Corbin, as a millionaire, banker, railroad mag- 
nate, and as one of the greatest business men of his time, would ever 
suppose, that he had learned the detail work of a farm, when a boy, 
but he had, and it was beautifully evidenced one day at his little farm- 
house, at North Babylon, where it was his pleasure to seek rest from his 
labors. Mr. Corbin was sitting on his front porch one day, when he ob- 
served that the grass on the green fronting his house was uneven, and 
needed a careful mowing with a scythe. He called to his colored man 
whom he trusted to do such work, and instructed him to get his scythe 
and go over the whole piece, cut it even and make a nice job of it. The 
man said, "all right, Mr. Corbin, I'm the man that can do it." He 
brought the scythe and sharpener and commenced work, very 
proud to have the boss watch him. Mr. Corbin kept his eye on the 
man, and was not satisfied with the way he worked, so he went to him 
and said, "Jake, I think I can show you how to mow." Jake said, 



j Beminiscences of Babylon. 67 

"You, Mr. Corbin? Well, bless my soul dat mat makes me laugh.'* 
Mr. Corbin took his coat off, rolled up his sleeves, whet up the scythe, 
and told Jake to step back out of the way and watch him closely. Mr. 
Corbin went to work and there never was a darkey in this world more 
surprised than Jake was, and when Jake was telling the writer of this 
years after, he said, "Mr. Field, I never would have believed it if I 
hadn't seen it with my own eyes, and I felt just like a fool, for I 
never did see a man in all my life, who could handle a scythe so nice 
as Mr. Corbin did." Mr. Corbin had learned to mow when he was a 
boy on a farm and had not forgotten how, and at that late day of his 
life did the mowing as he was accustomed to do everything else which 
he understood, and that was to do it thoroughly, 

A wealthy gentleman who had a fine summer residence at "West Islip 
and a winter home in the city for a number of years came to his sum- 
mer home in the spring to aid in the house cleaning. There were certain 
parts of the work, which he would trust no one else to do because he 
could do it better. He was exceedingly neat and the delicate tints and 
finish of the work which he did, could readily be distinguished. He 
learned to do such work when a youth and had never forgotten it. 
He was a cultured gentleman whose urbanity and politeness were ex- 
tended to all alike. He was conscious of the dignity which crowns all 
useful legitimate labor and rather looked up to the toilers instead of 
looking down upon them. The elder Benjamin K. True an early mem- 
ber of the West Islip colony was also a grand man, which was plainly 
evidenced in the meekness of his ways, the simplicity of his life, and the 
purity of his manhood. Such men were examples, whose manliness 
stimulated many in the lower walks of life to emulate some (at least) of 
their many virtues. 

The Hon. Benjamin D. Sullivan, Benjamin Stephens, George W. 
Thompson and others which could be named were it essential were men 
men of the same generation and of a similar type. They were men of 
wealth, station and talent, and yet were of the most modest pretentions 
and of a generous spirit, which helped to endear them to all who knew 
them especially to those who knew them the best, among whom the 
.whiter had the good fortune to be numbered. Such men gave to the 
locality a standard of excellence which was not common and the remem- 
brance of them come to us like fragrance from flowers. The respectful 
and thoughtful consideration they exhibited for the welfare of others 
accompany the remembrance to guide us lest we might be lead to 



68 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

overate ourselves and underate others, which would surely be a dread- 
ed form of vanity. 

And now, dear friends, I have told you as much about Babylon as 
it was fifty-five years ago as would interest you and if it should be that 
some one the same number of years hence shall write a sketch of Baby- 
lon as it is now, perhaps the names of some of my readers will then 
be included among those of the old folks of the past as they will appear 
at that time. And in concluding these short and perhaps imperfect 
reminiscences of dear old Babylon, I may be permitted to say good-bye 
dear old times, etc, etc. 

Finishing Verses. 

Good-bye dear old times, and the joys I 've had with you, 
You are treasured away in memory most dear; 

I call you back often, to have a chat with you, 

For I 'm happiest old times, when I dream you are near. 

So many dear friends have been called ' ' over yonder, ' ' 

That at times I feel sad, and almost alone, 
And a stroll in the burial ground leads me to ponder 

Over many whose name I may read on a stone. 

And I realize then — ^how swift time is going. 

The days have grown months, and the months have grown 
years. 
Yet old father time, keeps on with his mowing. 

And gathers his harvests in spite of our tears. 

While the aged and young are constantly falling. 

As the clock ticks the hours of the swift fleeting day, 
Methinks I can often hear faint voices calling. 

That the reaper ere long will be coming my way. 

And then as I muse what might come with the morrow, 
And think of the many, who in sorrow have wept ; 

I look not for joys, unless mixed with some sorrow. 
For between life and death it is only a step. 



Beminiscences of Babylon. 69 

But anon, dear old times, there is much beside sorrow, 
For joys you have skillfully woven between; 

Should we miss them today, we many find them tomorrow, 
For pleasures near-by oftentimes are not seen. 

There are beautiful things on life's road as we travel, 
Let us pause in our haste that the eye may behold. 

For the fingers of time will gently unravel ; 

And show us there, beauties even as we grow old. 

There is beauty when we take an impartial view, 

And check selfish impulses with a firm, strong hand, 

And strive to be able and willing to do, 

Without a forced effort or dictating command. 

There's beauty to those who can avoid the extremes. 
Which menace life's pleasures in so many ways. 

Leading hordes to become easy victims to schemes, 
Which casts a dark cloud over all of their days. 

There's beauty in envying none what they are worth. 
And to pity the many who are struggling behind; 

That we chide not any on account of their birth, 
And to all of their failings we feign to be blind. 

It is well when our duties are plainly outlined. 

And we comprehend clearly just what we should do. 

And we keep the truth fixed steadfastly in mind, 
That to all men alike we be candid and true. 

There is beauty when we strive to look on the bright side. 

Of life's charming scenes, as the years roll away. 
For we've no power to check the swift speed of the tide. 
Which flows on its course through the night and the day. 

There's beauty when good will, and best wishes exist. 
Where envy and malice have no lurking place ; 

And humanity directs our steps to assist 

The unfortunate ones who have suffered disgrace. 



70 : Reminiscences of Babylon. 

Let us not be afraid to extend the right hand, 
To every poor mortal, in the form of a man ; 

And with kindness encourage, the fallen to stand, 
With a firm effort to do — ^the best that they can. 

There's beauty in feeling a true friendship for others. 
And crediting their good side, for all it is worth; 

And to cherish the thought that all men are brothers — 
That humanity's girdle encircles the earth. 

There's beauty when the rays from the sunshine of love, 
Warms estranged hearts, which are eallosed and cold, 

And a sweet little something from somewhere above ; 
Tunes the heart hidden strings to the music of old. 

When common obligations are cheerfully met, 
Without a suspicion of deception or fraud ; 

Then friendship is nourished — and we should not forget. 
That lost love, through such means is often restored. 

There indeed are but few of the beauties which line — 
The highway of life all through to the end. 

And the best way to enjoy its brightest sunshine, 
Is to be courteous and kind, to foe and to friend. 

Perhaps the most beautiful and best in this life. 

Which brings a sweet solace and peace to the mind, 

Is a consciousness that we are free from all strife. 
And at peace with our Maker, and all mankind. 

He who has possessed this consciousness and peace. 

Has that which the wealth of the world cannot buy; 

And the joys of his pure simple life will increase. 

To illumine the path which will lead him on high. 



THE END. 



This HouoE Sut 




..d 



Cut of Stoiu. 
The etone of v/hich the above is a reproduction was in the chimney of 
Piatt Carll house, on tlie corner of Main street and Sampawams road (now 
Deer Park avenue). It is interesting as showing a name for this village that 
has heen little known. Nat. Conklin built two other houses, the True home- 
stead in 1823, now standing, and the Sutton house which occupied a site on the 
Hawley place on the main road, nearly opposite the McCurdy lodge. 



Beminiscences of Babylon. 



71 



Short Historical Sketch 

BABYLON 

by 
James Waterbury Eaton 




© 



Reminiscences of Babylon. .^':--^'- 73 

The village of Babylon, was in the south east part of the town of 
Huntington. The latter was settled by the whites in 1653, the first Indian 
deed being given in 1646 for Eatons Neck. 

In those days English hay being unknown, the owner of any farm 
land on the North Side of the town, also had a share of the salt meadows 
on the South Side, it being highly necessary to them, in order to feed 
their live stock, this whole southern portion of the town of Huntington 
was therefore known as Huntington South. In 1660 the Town went 
under the jurisdiction of Connecticut and remained under this jurisdic- 
tion until the year 1664. 

In 1657 and 1658 nine of the south necks were purchased from the 
Indians and Sumpwams neck on which the present village of Babylon 
is located was purchased from the Indians December 2, 1670. The 
Matinecock tribe of Indians occupied the northern portion of the town. 
Their sachem was Raseocon and the western southern portion was occu- 
pied by the Massapequas whose sachem was Tackapousha and the east- 
ern southern portion by the Secatogues who were probably under sachem 
Keeosseehok. All these tribes were under Wyandanch, the sachem of 
Montauk. The Indian name for the Town of Huntington was Ketewa- 
moke and the Indian name for Long Island being Mattanwake, (1635 , 
Meitowax, (1664), and Paumanake the latter being the general Indian 
name. 

In 1666 the inhabitants of Huntington obtained a patent from 
Oovernor NicoU by which the whole territory between Cold Spring and 
Nesaquake River and between the sound and the sea was given to the 
town under certain limits. In 1686 this patent was confirmed by Govern- 
or Dongan and in 1694 another patent was granted by Governor Fletch- 
er in which the eastern limits of the town were altered. 

The names of the original patentees were Jonas Wood, Robert 
Seeley, John Ketcham, Thomas Scidmore, Isaac Post, Thomas Jones 
jand Thomas Wicks. Twenty-eight years later the names in the last 
patent were Jo-nas Wood, Thomas Wicks, Joseph Bayley, John Wood, 
John Wieks^ Thomas Brush and John Adams. 

A glance at the old sketch of the village of Huntington given in 
this book with its quaint windmill, church and about a dozen houses 
will enable you to form some idea of how Babylon looked 100 years 
ago, when it was beautifully situated as now between two fine streams 
of water, the historic "Sumpwams" being on its eastern side and the 
larger ''Annuskemunnica" on the western side. The first church erected 



74 Beminiscences of Babylon. 

in the town was in 1730 and was probably located some three hundred 
feet to the west of the present location of Christ Episcopal Church in 
.West Islip. This church was torn down during the Revolutionary "War 
and a new church built in 1784 and forms now a part of the house of the 
Sammis estate, adjoining the church property. Few villages can show 
sightseeres three of the old church structures of one denomination stiU 
standing side by side as they do in Babylon village at this writing. 

No doubt the Indian name for Babylon was, "Sampawam" spelled 
in the records in many ways, viz: Sampawame, Sump warns, Sowam- 
pams, (1689), Sumpawams (1690), Sampaumes (1697) and Sampa- 
wam. It is supposed to be the name of the Indian sachem who lived 
on this neck, although no record mentions his name in its entirety, but 
in Indian deeds for Sampawams Neck, December 2, 1670, his name is 
"Pwamas," which is supposed to be his name, meaning a straight 
walker hence "an upright and just man." 

It was hard to spell the Indian name Sampawam correctly. Rich- 
ard Haywarde in his chronicles of Babylon says that he himself has 
seen Huntington South spelled seventeen different ways and every one 
of them wrong. Just exactly when it was named Babylon does not seem 
to be definitely established, but Haywarde in his chronicles says it was 
christened Babylon in 1801. 

A stone in the chimney of the Washington House which now 
stands on the west side of Deer Park avenue, next to the marble yard 
was built by Nat Conklin in 1803 and stood where HeflBey's Drug Store 
and the adjoining building is located and we could read the inscription 
as depicted on the sketch of the stone here submitted and is nowl 
in the possession of Mrs. Sidney L. Seaman : 

New Babylon 

Built hy 
Nat Conklin 
1803. 

This stone would seem to show that it was christened New Babylon 
at the change in name from Huntington South in all probability to 
distinguish it from the old Babylon of the Bible. At any rate the 
ministers stated they were ashamed to state at conference that they 
came from Babylon and a mass meeting was held and an attempt made 




The '"Old Mill," a Once Famous Landmark. 
This mill was built about 1750 by Nathaniel Conklin. It was run as a 
grist mill and at one time there was a mill for sawing lumber in connection 
with it. For over half a century the gTist mill was run by the Oakley family. 
In the eighties, the machinery for manufacturing toy whips and canes was 
installed and the old mill v/as afterwards run by the Ricketts family as a 
whip factory. In the spring of 1910 it was purchased by Edwin Hawley, who 
had it demolished and on its site erected a cement tumble dam. This view 
shows the old bridge and the old road across the dam. 



"" Reminiscences of Babylon. 75 

by some of its people in connection with the Railway Company to 
change its name to Sea Side but the attempt failed and the only evi- 
dence of this attempt is the name to be seen on Babylon's first depot 
building, now standing on CJooper street and used by Henry J. KeUum 
for a carpenter shop. 

The only method of traveling on Long Island as late as 1835 was^ 
by stage coach or private conveyance, leaving Brooklyn once a week, 
Thursday, at nine o'clock in the morning, they would dine at Hemp- 
stead, then a beautiful drive to Babylon where they generally stayed 
over night, the next morning just after daylight they journeyed to 
Patchogue and a drive in the early morning hours was indeed a treat 
that any one would enjoy. Breakfast between nine and ten o'clock at 
the latter place, then no dinner until you reached Quogue, where you 
had your dinner and supper together and would stop for the night. 
The following morning you would breakfast at Southampton and you 
would reach Sag Harbor in time for dinner and then the mail coach 
would travel on to Easthampton where it would arrive just before sun- 
set, thus occupying three days to make a journey that with the railroad 
is now made in as many hours. The reader must also remember that 
this coach delivered all the mail. 

The Long Island Railroad was built by easy stages completed first 
to Jamaica, then extended to Hicksville, Farmingdale and finally to 
Deer Park and beyond. Thus the stage route to Babylon began to 
grow shorter until finally in 1867 the South Side Railroad was built 
and people were landed directly in the village. 

Babylon has been noted as one of the most thriving villages on the 
South Side and as a resort for sportsmen, both with the rod and gun, it 
had no equal. Clams grew in abundance and the immense shell heaps 
made by the Indians on many of the creeks prove that both the shell 
fish and the Indians must have been plenty at one time. 

The landmarks familiar to our ancestors, one hundred years ago, 
are fast disappearing. The large paper, grist and at one time woolen mill 
on Annuskemunnica creek and the grist mill on Sampawams creek in 
which most of the wooden cog wheels were made or repaired by Natha- 
niel Oakley have been torn down. In fact but few of the old houses re- 
main and only two or three of them occupying their original positions. 
The Totten house is an old bulding, it is quaint and has an olden ar- 
rangement of its woodyard as our sketch shows. 



76 BeminiscBnces of Babylon. 

The oldest house and probably the first house built in the village 
was on the site of the present residence of H. A. V. Post on Main street, 
adjoining this place on the east was the large tannery of the Coopers, 
extending to the Totten place. / Another old house was occupied by 
the Coopers and stood where Tierney's hotel now stands, corner Main 
and Cooper street. This house is now being demolished and is located 
on Cooper street. 

The village furnished several Revolutionary heroes and largely 
through the efforts of the great local Historian of his day the late 
Judge James B. Cooper a monument was erected on the Public school 
grounds to the memory of Joel Cooke. This monument 
was unveiled in November, 1908. Another Revolutionary hero 
laid in a grave in Sampawams Park for nearly 100 years and now lies 
in Babylon Cemetery. His name is David Smith and he served in Gen- 
eral Washington's own army for seven years and his musket is now in 
possession of one of his gradchildren. He has three grandchildren now 
living (1911) in Babylon. Col. Abraham Skinner was a Revolutionary 
hero who died in Babylon in 1825. Though married twice he left no 
children, and his remains are buried in the Episcopal Church cemetery 
in Jamaica. 

The grandfather of Valentine Southard, Mr. Verity, served also 
in the Revolutionary War.. 

In the war of 1812 there were also several who rendered military 
service, Richard Dingge, Silas Tooker, John Tooker, Daniel Sammis, 
Israel Sammis, Jesse Sammis, Jesse Abbott, Jesse Whitmann, Silas 
Cooper, Joseph Jacobs, William Wiggins, Charles Weeks, Piatt Frost, 
Benjamin Pettit, Thomas Hendrickson, Alanson Seaman, Lawrence 
Seaman, Jr., Thomas Rhodes, John Brower, Peter Brown, Henry Sands, 
Henry Ferris, Edward Dodd and Phillip Thomas. 

The following account written by the late Judge James B. Cooper 
is of great historic value : 

In the month of July, 1814, the village of Babylon and vicinity 
were one day thrown in to a state of excitement by the appearance 
in Sampawams Creek of a whale boat loaded with armed men in uni- 
form. It proved to be Captain David Porter and ten of his sailors, 
who had survived the hard fought and sanguinary battle of Valparaiso. 
The circumstance of their sudden advent is worthy of mention. In the 
latter part of March, 1814, two American Naval vessels, the "Essex" 
and the "Essex, Jr.," under the command of Captain Porter lay in a 



Reminiscences of Babylon. 7? 

disabled condition in the neutralport of Valpariso. According to thfe 
laws of nations they were safe from attack, but in the afternoon of 
March 28, 1814, the American ships were suddenly and unexpectedly fir- 
ed upon by two large and well armed battleships. After making a brave 
resistance for several hours Captain Porter was obliged to surrender. 
Of 225 brave men who went into the fight 55 were killed, 66 were- 
wounded and 31 missing. Only 75 effective remained. By an arrange- 
ment with the British Captain Hillyard, the Essex, Jr., was made a 
cartel, and in this vessel Captain Porter and his surviving companions 
sailed for New York. After a voyage of about 73 days they arrived 
on the south coast of Long Island, and on the morning of July 5th, 1814^ 
fell in with H. B. M. ship "Saturn." Captain Marsh, who examined 
the papers of the "Essex, Jr.," treated Captain Porter with great 
civility, furnished him with late newspapers, sent him a basket of 
fruit and made an offer of kindly services. The boarding officer en- 
dorsed the papers and permitted the ship to proceed. But in a couple 
of hours afterward the "Essex, Jr.," was again brought to, the papers 
re-examined and the ship searched. It was then stated that Captain 
Hillyard had no authority to make the arrangement. Captain Porter 
regarding this treatment as a violation of all honorable rules of war-, 
fare, and finding that he was about to be made a prisoner, determined 
to escape from his base captor. The next morning about seven o'clock 
a boat was lowered, manned, armed and provisioned. In this boat Cap-- 
tain Porter, with about 10 men, pulled off, but he was soon discovered 
and pursued by the ' ' Saturn ' ' which was favored by a fresh breeze that 
sprung up about the same time. Fortunately however, for the Ameri- 
can a fog then set in concealing them, and changing the course of their 
little craft were soon out of danger from their pursuers. After rowing 
and sailing about 60 miles Captain Porter with much difficulty suc- 
ceeded in entering Fire Island Inlet. Here he was found by James 
Montfort, who piloted him up Sampawams Creek. When he stepped 
from the boat Stephen B. Nichols told him that he doubted his being 
an American Naval officer, and intimated that he might be from the 
other side. Then, my good friend, said the Captain jocosely, I will 
surrender to you; at the same time handing Nichols an iron cutlass. 
When they reached the center of the village, in front of Rushmore's 
store, which then stood where Smith & Salmon's drug store is now 
situated, a large and excited crowd gathered. The story by Captain 
Porter appeared so extraordinary that few were inclined to believe it. 



78 Eeminiscences of Babylon, 

Of course nothing had been published respecting a naval battle at Val- 
paraiso, no vessel having reached the United States with an account of 
the same. Mr. Rushmore informed Captain Porter that his neighbors 
still believed him to be a British officer in disguise. Upon this he pulled 
out his commission which he fortunately had with him, then all doubts 
were dispelled and he was treated by the villagers with the greatest 
hospitality. The best carriage and horses that could be had were soon 
ready and at his disposal. The whale boat was lashed upon a farm 
wagon and into the boat sprang the brave tars. In this manner the 
party was conveyed to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Singular as it may 
seem in these days, when news is flashed in a few seconds all over the 
Globe, Captain Porter brought the first information of his fight at 
Valparaiso. 

From the above sketch the river is justly entitled to be called 
*' Historic Sampawams." 

On March 13, 1872, the present Town of Babylon was created and 
the second section of the act reads: "The town of Babylon shall be 
bounded as follows: "On the north by a line commencing at the 
boundary line between the towns of Huntington and Oyster Bay, one 
mile north of the line of the Long Island Railroad, and running thence 
easterly and parallel with said Long Island Railroad until it reaches 
a point on the boundary line between the towns of Huntington and 
Islip, one mile north of the Long Island Railroad; on the east by the 
town of Islip ; on the south by the Atlantic Ocean ; and on the west by 
the town of Oyster Bay ; the eastern and western boundaries being the 
lines now established. 

to that period and was recognized as the town divisions of the said sev- 
eral towns respectively." 

Within the boundary of the town are situated the villages of Ami- 
tyville, Copiague, Lindenhurst, "West Babylon, North Babylon, West 
Deer Park, Deer Park and Babylon. Babylon village was incorporate in 
1894. The late Dr. W. W. Hewlett was elected president, W. C. Abbott, 
F. S. Bunce and Henry Oakley, Trustees. At their first meeting, Feb- 
ruary 7, 1894, the late Eugene Fishel was appointed clerk, W. F. Nor- 
ton, B. P. Field and F. A. Dowden a Board of Health and Oscar Balchen 
constable, at a meeting held March 14, 1894. E. V. Strong was appointed 
Street Commissioner April 20, 1894, April 10, 1895. H. Van Weelden 
was elected First Chief Engineer of the village fire department ; George 




Western view of Huntington Village. 
The above sketch taken from Barter & Howe's Historical Sketch of New 
York State, gives a good idea of how tliis village looked in 183G. Note the 
curious windmill which was huilt in 1825, the central shaft was 72 feet high, 
and was propelled by eighteen sails arranged between the two rims. The 
top of this structure was blown down in a heavy gale about 1867. 



Beminiscences of Babylon. 79 

'W. Lamed, first assistant, and Gustav Fishel, second assistant engi- 
neer of the fire department. 

In 1895 D. Rickets, Jr., was elected president, Edward Daily, 
Joshua Taylor and Treadwell B. Kellum, Trustees and James B. Coop- 
-er, Jr., was appointed Clerk. 

December 10, 1895, petition of Sumpawams Hose Company to 
iorm a company was granted. 

January 21, 1896, a special election to determine whether Babylon 
Tillage should remain incorporated. The election resulted in a ma- 
jority of votes being cast in favor of sustaining the government. In 
1896 Andrew J. Weeks was elected trustee in place of Joshua Taylor 
and William G. Nicoll was appointed Clerk. October 15, 1896, a map 
of the village was ordered to be made by Oscar Darling for the sum of 
:$600. 

March 22, 1897, the offer of the Babylon Woman's Exchange for 
^ drinking fountain to be erected on Fire Island avenue and Main 
street was accepted. In 1898. H. Van Weelden was elected president, 
Edward Daily and Henry Oakley, trustees and Eugene Fishel was ap- 
j)ointed Clerk. In 1899 the same ofi&cers were re-elected. 

In 1900, Edward Daily was elected president, Charles S. Hendrick- 
son and Henry Oakley, trustees, and Eugene Fishel was appointed 
Clerk. F.. S. Thorpe was elected chief of the fire department. In 1901 
And 1902 the same officers were elected and Eugene Fishel remained 
Clerk. In 1903, Treadwell B. Kellum was elected president, Henry 
Oakley and Charles S. Hendrickson, trustees, Eugene Fishel was ap- 
pointed Clerk. In 1904, B. B. Wood was elected president, Henry 
Oakley and John Arink, trustees, LeRoy M. Young was appointed 
Clerk. In 1905 and 1906 the officers remained the same, but on Feb- 
luary 13, 1906, the resignation of Henry Oakley was accepted and 
Elmer W. Howell was appointed to fill the vacancy. In 1907 B. B. 
Wood was elected president and John H. Arink and Elmer W. HoweU, 
trustees, LeRoy M. Young was appointed Clerk. In 1908 Chester 0. 
Ketcham was elected President, Carll Jackson, James C. Bums, trus- 
tees, and James B. Cooper was appointed Clerk. In 1909 and 1910 the 
officers were the same. In 1911 E. S. Alley was elected president and 
David C. Ricketts, who with Carll Jackson formed the Board, and 
James B. Cooper was appointed Clerk. 

The village has made rapid improvements under incorporation and 
now has many advantages over other villages. It is an express station, 



80 '1 Reminiscences of Babylon. 

first village on the Sauth Side of Long Island with good deep water 
in the bay, eleven hundred feet of public water front in one stretchy 
besides other wharfs and recreation piers. 

A beautiful free public library was completed in 1911, erected on 
ground presented to the association by Elbert Carll Livingston. The 
ground and building is estimated at a cost of $10,000, and the money 
was all raised by the voluntary contributions of the people. 

A hospital was opened in July of this year and mainly through the 
earnest work of Dr. Daniel Woodbury Wynkoop, assisted by the ladies 
of the village. 

The village has a Methodist Episcopal Church, the first church 
building of this denomination being erected in 1840 and the present 
structure was erected in 1859. Trinity Episcopal Church was orga- 
nized in 1862 but was merged in Christ Episcopal Church, West Islip, 
built in 1871. In 1873 the Baptist Church was built. In 1878 St. 
Joseph's Eoman Catholic Church was erected and this year (1911) a 
beautiful structure is being erected at a cost of over $70,000. 

It is very hard to realize that only fifty years ago people had to 
ford Sumpawams River and drive about eight hundred feet on a 
wading road to reach the village so great has been the growth and so 
many the improvements in the years that have elapsed. 



THE END 



